The ASBTDC Lead Center has assembled a team dedicated to ensuring startup entrepreneurs have the resources and expertise to launch a new venture.
The team members are Startup Specialist Ashley Murguia Topete, Startup Assistant Debra Clark, and Startup Assistant Bri Ham.
They guide aspiring business owners from ideas to profits through a strategic approach that mixes classroom-style training and one-on-one consulting.
Attending the ASBTDC’s Startup Crash Course is the ideal first step in turning dreams into reality. This no-cost seminar lays the foundation for starting a business in Arkansas, provides an outline for creating a comprehensive business plan, and discusses various funding sources for starting a new business.
The startup team then follows up with attendees to learn more about their business ideas. That is when the tailored assistance begins.
Our team believes in meeting clients where they are in their startup journey and developing a path to the finish line.
Clark and Ham help crash course attendees get started on their business plans. From there, Murguia helps budding entrepreneurs understand the market so that they enter their chosen industry well-informed.
She also assists each client with putting together a detailed budget that
- ensures the business is financially sustainable and
- can be used for funding requests, either for traditional bank loans or alternative sources of investment.
Murguia, who is bilingual, can also assist Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
While we have a new startup crew, working with startup entrepreneurs is not new for us! Last year, 228 clients started businesses with guidance from ASBTDC.
Do you have a business idea? Visit our events calendar to find an upcoming Startup Crash Course, call 501-916-5919 to talk with a Startup Assistant, or e-mail Ashley at axmurguia@ualr.edu.