September 2007
Success Stories
Scott & Kathy
Smiles
Scott and Kathy Smiles, owners of Slicks Sports and Billiards Bar, are anticipating a busy football season. Patrons will be able to watch all the football games on an assortment of 50 inch TV screens while playing pool at their historic location at 9th and Taylor. As first time business owners, the Smiles were helped by the SBDC from the point of their original concept to obtaining financing. Scott says, “Anyone interested in starting a business should work with the SBDC. They can help you through the entire process.”
Business
- Slicks Sports and Billiards Bar
Owners
- Scott and Kathy Smiles
Location
- 814 S. Taylor
Phone
- 806-373-0382
Employs
- 4 Full Time and 4 Part Time Employees
Seminars
Introduction to Business Ownership
Free Workshop
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Writing a Business Plan
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Should you incorporate?
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Marketing on a small budget
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Permits and Procedures
September 4 6:00 - 8:00 PM
September 11 8:30 - 10:30 AM
September 25 8:30 - 10:30 AM
October 9 6:00 - 8:00 PM
October 16 8:30 - 10:30 AM
October 23 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Call 372-5151 to Reserve
Contact Us
SBDC
701 S Taylor Suite L118
Amarillo, TX 79101
806-372-5151
Affiliations
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
WTAMU Small Business Development Center is a member of the
Northwest Texas SBDC Region Network.
Accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers
WTAMU SBDC
Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Amarillo
Tuesday, October 2nd
4:00 to 6:00 PM
We are celebrating our 20th anniversary with a “Showcase of Success”, featuring our clients who have had a successful business venture. Our anniversary bash will take place on the first floor of the Bank of America building from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. We invite you to celebrate this joyous occasion with us and to hear some real success stories.
The WTAMU SBDC was founded in 1987 to help provide professional counseling services and training programs to the people of the Texas Panhandle. The center is part of a nationwide network of SBDC programs, which are funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, West Texas A&M University, the State of Texas, and other public and private entities. The WTAMU SBDC is credited with creating 4,028 new jobs, starting 482 new businesses, and forming over $76 million in capital.
2007 Social Security
Annual Wage and Tax Reporting Seminar
Thursday, September 13
6:00 to 8:00 PM
If you are responsible for filing end of year annual wage reports (W-2s or W-3s) for your employees or for someone else’s employees, or if you are involved in the hiring process, you should plan to attend this important FREE seminar presented by the Social Security Administration. This workshop is offered on a limited basis, so mark your calendars now and plan to attend.
Get the most up-to-date information about the required annual wage reporting (W-2) process. Learn how to report employee earnings to the Social Security electronically by utilizing the Internet to file both large and small W-2 and W-2C reports. Electronic filing is easy, safe and secure and can save you time and money while helping improve the overall accuracy of W-2 reports. Other topics to be discussed include the correct formatting of employee names, the online Social Security Number Verification Service, the process for reconciling IRS Form 941 tax data with Form W-3 wage data, and suggestions for avoiding the most common reporting errors, including name and Social Security number mismatches.
Accountants, bookkeepers, third-party preparers, domestic employers, small employers, and large employer representatives from Payroll, Human Resources/Personnel and Systems should plan to attend.
To reserve a seat, call 372-5151
5 Low-Cost Employee Perks
For years, large companies have offered corporate perks including tuition payments, on-site childcare, and fitness centers, but now smaller businesses are providing many creative, low cost perks that are having some very positive results. Here are five possibilities for you to consider:
1. Work from home day - this may not work for all business settings, but if you can offer it, it's a nice way for an employee to spend time with their family and still get some work done.
2. Pizza Fridays - it does not have to be pizza, a continental breakfast is a nice way to start the day.
3. Free Car Washes - An express car wash only costs around $5 per wash, for $100 you can treat 20 employees to a shiny, clean car.
4. Community Service Day - you can offer a few paid days off each year for employees to participate in a community service or charity that they are passionate about.
5. Yoga Classes - bring in a yoga instructor twice a week to give a class on relaxation techniques and help reduce the stress.
While perks in general can help boost morale and create a loyal workforce, it is important to match the perk with the staff. Remember, it is not how much you spend, but how much thought you put into it that will produce the greatest effect.
Source - Entrepreneur.com
Quote of
the Month
Management is nothing more than motivating other people.
Lee Iacocca
