Purnima ChawlaAn associate professor in the UTSA School of Management, the program is offered in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the UTSA Valdez Economic Development Institute.
“The program has two objectives: to provide small business support to local entrepreneurs, especially those in economically disadvantaged areas, and for our students to learn the skills they need to consult with entrepreneurs and help them develop business plans,” Chawla said, noting that the program originated at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business.
“Students attend a little more class time than the entrepreneurs and learn the business framework and soft skills to advise entrepreneurs. They also do industry research and background research on the entrepreneurs’ companies they will be partnering with,” she said.
UTSA Students Gabriel MonterubioHe is set to graduate in the fall with a business administration degree and enrolled in the program with his father. Gabriel Monterubio Sr.joined another team as a mentor. Monterubio Jr. worked with local entrepreneurs. Oscar PerezThe owner of TÃo Perón’s Salsita helped Perez develop plans to expand the business and attract new investors to the project.
Motel-Rubio was searching for an internship until one of her professors told her about the SURE program.
“I thought the program would provide me with the kind of useful experience employers are looking for that I would get from an internship,” he said. “There was a lot of problem-solving going on throughout the program, and Oscar and the mentors on our team took me seriously as a consultant. They made me feel like my input was valued.”
UTSA students also expressed gratitude to their SURE team mentors, who built the student consultants’ trust, and the weekly guest speakers who taught them what it’s really like to run a small business.
Richard CifuentesThe SBDC director described the SURE program as a “grand collaboration” that will benefit participants in the long term.
“The students gained new skills and confidence that they can carry into their careers after graduation, and the small business owners gained a better understanding of their next steps and renewed direction for their businesses,” Cifuentes said. “Both groups enjoyed the program and hope to see it continue to grow.”
