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Dear Texas Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Resource Providers:
The new year has already started off with excitement, and the Governor’s Small Business Assistance Team is eager to continue to share initiatives that make Texas the best state for small businesses.
As we look ahead, we'd also like to reflect upon the record-setting activities of 2023, which serve as a foundation to build upon. Last year, we rolled out the new Governor’s Small Business Summits with 15 in-person events held across the state, resulting in thousands of entrepreneurs registering and attending. The unprecedented interest led to four sold-out events!
Furthermore, our team is excited to launch the Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide, which provides quick and accurate information on permitting requirements by industry type. The newest version of this popular resource is now even more user-friendly and can be downloaded below!
Our office strives to be an ally for small businesses, and we are very grateful for our fellow state agencies that also serve the Texas small business community. In this edition of the Snapshot, you'll learn more about the Texas Department of Agriculture, and how they can also serve you as a small business ally.
As we commit to bigger, better, Texas-sized success in 2024, we encourage you to contact our team if we can be of any assistance. Please be sure to visit our website, follow us on social media and utilize the Governor's Small Business Resource Portal to schedule a call with our team!
— Jarvis Brewer, Small Business Advocate, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
The 2024-2025 Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide is now available!
This comprehensive permit guide is the first stop for those looking to start a new business in Texas. It offers a listing of state permits that may be required to operate a business enterprise in the state, including requirements for more than 300 business types.
The guide is designed to direct aspiring business owners to the appropriate state resources that can address any business permitting need.
With more than 17,000 downloads each year, this guide is one of the most popular resources for inquiring small business owners! We hope that you will find the 2024-2025 edition of the Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide helpful in starting your new entrepreneurial endeavor in the Lone Star State.
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“If you attended the Governor’s Small Business Summit....you got some great information, great benefits...that you can take home to help kickstart your business. I highly recommend if the Governor’s Summit is in your city...that you take the opportunity to attend.”
— Erica Harris, Harris Consulting, Beaumont
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Information on demand: Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal is easy to use and offers a customized list of resources to assist you. |
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an important resource provider for Texas small businesses and a key state agency partner for economic development. From trade and business development to financial incentives for the expansion of agriculture-related businesses, TDA offers countless tools to enhance our state's robust small business ecosystem.
Together, TDA and Texas Economic Development & Tourism (EDT) work closely to keep Texas the best state to start and grow a small business in the country. Through our partnership, TDA frequently attends the Governor's Small Business Summits to participate as a resource provider and connect in-person with small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in each region of Texas.
Carol Faulkenberry is TDA's Regional Field Representative for Region 2, covering the Texas Panhandle area. Carol spoke about her experience at last year's Governor's Small Business Summits:
"These business summits are instrumental to discovering new opportunities. Whether its small businesses, women owned or industry empowered. Attendees and resource folks like me learn and meet something or someone new, EVERY TIME!"
This year, TDA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the GO TEXAN program, which showcases quality products made right here in the Lone Star State. Established in 1999, the program has been a driving force in fostering economic growth, highlighting the diversity of Texan products and championing the state's agricultural producers.
EDT and TDA also work closely to promote the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). This grant offers support to help small businesses in developing export opportunities and increase the value of those exports. Through EDT's Texas Business Exports Assistance program, STEP can be utilized to support small business participation at leading industry trade shows around the world. Currently, applications for STEP are poised to open late January 2024
We thank TDA as our long-term economic development partner and look forward to continuing our work together to help small businesses succeed in our state. To explore TDA's many helpful resources, visit their website or connect in-person at a Governor's Small Business Summit in a city near you in 2024! Continue to check back on our events calendar as we announce event locations and dates for this year.
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We divided the process of starting a business into seven basic steps. Follow these steps to help start your new business in the state of Texas. Get Started ›
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Watch on your schedule. The Governor’s Small Business Webinars provide updates on resources and topics from subject-matter experts. Playbacks are available to watch online.
The Small Business Assistance team travels to communities around the state throughout the year to meet with small businesses and share information on the resources available. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!
- March 20-22: Veteran EDGE Conference, hosted by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families in Dallas
- March 18-22: Research & Innovation Week 2024, hosted by Texas Southern University in Houston
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FAQ: How do I write a business plan? There are numerous resources to help you write a business plan or update your current plan. You can schedule a consultation with your nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) representative for one-on-one assistance. You can find your nearest SBDC by using the online locator. We also encourage you to view this informative webinar titled The Importance of Business Planning. You can also visit our website for helpful resources, tips and guidance to get started on your business plan.
See more answers to frequently asked questions by viewing our FAQ video playlists in English and Spanish. Also check out the Webinar Resource Library for more information.
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 The sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit — Houston took place December 7, connecting more than 200 women entrepreneurs in the region with resources to start, grow and sustain their businesses. The event was hosted in partnership with the Governor's Commission for Women and the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce. See more photos from the event.
Watch on demand: Find the full panel and keynote sessions from the event on our YouTube channel.
The Governor's Small Business Summit — San Antonio, honoring veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, took place on November 9 at the San Antonio Food Bank-Valero Community Engagement Center. Panels included Benefits of Being a Veteran-Owned Business, Workforce Challenges and Access to Capital. See more photos from the event.
Watch on demand: Find the full panel and keynote sessions from the event on our YouTube channel.
Other recent small business events and webinars:
- The Governor's Small Business Webinar: Challenges that Businesses Face took place on December 13. Watch the webinar playback and review presentation slides.
- In January, EDT's Small Business Advocate Jarvis Brewer and other team members presented at the South Texas Community Summit at the Texas Capitol to provide an update on our office's resources to communities from the South Texas region.
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