This site is for the University of Central Oklahoma office of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center network, located at One Santa Fe Plaza, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 in the heart of downt... Read More ...
Business 101
There is just a lot to learn when you are starting a business. Often we hear a person say something like – “I know what kind of business I want, but I have no clue of what to do next to m... Read More ...
Already in Business?
Call us. Let's sit down and talk. We provide individualized consultation for the established business owner. If you are seeking information on services, it's because you have a ne... Read More ...
Loan Guidance
Getting a business loan is unlike any other type of borrowing you’ve done. It is easier to get a $200,000 home loan than a $20,000 business loan and will take you longer than you think. ... Read More ...
Oklahoma, OK!
Must Have Tech Solutions
Web Site Building Seminar - Of course, getting something professionally designed is best, but may not fit your budget. Better to have a simple, good looking website today than no web presence at all. Six hours of training over two sessions. You will end up with a free three page website that looks good today, and can be expanded by you or professionals in the future. $69 fee, includes parking.
Email Marking Using Constant Contact - Keeping in touch with your clients is crucial. Using email marketing can be extremely effective in reminding your customers of your presence, what you do, and make sure you are not "out of sight, out of mind." Six hours of training over two sessions. Free 60 day trial period. $30 credit towards future Constant Contact services. $69 fee, includes parking.
How To Use Skype - Expand your communications ability using your computer and internet to video conference, send files, sent text message, call other computers, landlines and cell phones. We will be teaching the free software usage of Skype and touching on the cost effective paid services. Two hour training. $29 fee includes parking.
How To Sell on Ebay - Another method to reach new customers, sell new and old inventory, even old equipment, damaged or returned goods using eBay auctions. Prerequisite - you MUST already be an eBay purchaser to attend. We do offer a How To Get Registered on eBay seminar to have you understand the customer experience. Three hour training. $29 fee includes parking.
New Businesses
The Nuts and Bolts of Starting A Business - This is the how-to session. We'll talk about legal structures, tax id numbers, sales tax, merchant accounts, insurance needs, trademarks and much, much more. All businesses starting out have these same questions, so we do this in a small group format so that we can spend our individual consulting time with you on the details and specifics of your business. Held twice monthly at various metro locations. One and a half hour training. $20.
Marketing Your Business - In this seminar we'll go over development your message, generating leads, various steps in the sales process, closing the sale, dealing with rejection, and post sale activity as well as how to retain your customers. This is a little different than just a concept only seminar, but can help make the difference of getting in the door and closing a sale. This monthly session is taught by an experienced sales person who can give you personal insights of what has worked for him. One and a half hour training. $25.
Writing A Business Plan - Let us help take the mystery and fear out of this process. It is a road map and guide for you and your business. Emphasis is on business plans used to raise funds for your business. We'll work with you on getting information from your head to a piece of paper. You won't be writing a book, seriously! But you'll need to gather information and thoughts.
Our Address and Directions
Our address is:
One Santa Fe Plaza, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 232-1968
We are at the corner of Main St. and E.K. Gaylord in Downtown Oklahoma City, just blocks from Bricktown.
Parking is a snap. There is usually on street parking, or park in the Santa Fe Parking garage, come to the far south elevator, press M, and when the doors open, there we are!
If you are a current business owner, congratulations! We’re not telling you anything you don’t know in that it’s hard work to stay in business and be profitable. Our goal in working with established business is to help them be better managed, more profitable and to respond to changes in the market. You may face issues that are different as a five year old business than when it was new, or now that it’s a 10 person company rather than just you. There are many factors in keeping a company going and growing over time. Call us, or sign up as a client, and we'll be contacting you as to how we can help make your business better.
Start a New Business
The term we hear our new business clients use for how they feel when they begin this process is – overwhelming.
There’s a lot to learn about the business of being in business. Everyone has advice, and there is so much to be found on the internet, in books and blogs, that it’s hard to sort through it.
We help hold your hand through this process. We’ve helped truly thousands of people in over 20 years get started. We’ll walk with you as well.
Learn More About Us!
Learn more about what the UCO Small Business Development Center can do for you.
Shorty's Caboy Hattery
When you think of Oklahoma, cowboys are often an image that come to mind. Along with a good pair of boots, a good hat is essential. Shorty's if found in the historic Stockyards area in Oklahoma City. Shorty's Caboy Hattery came to the University of Central Oklahoma SBDC for help in making her business better. She still remembers that first meeting some years ago, and how the relationship with the SBDC has made her business grow. She still uses the OSBDC has her business advisor.
Award Winning!
University of Central Oklahoma named Region's Best for 2008!
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced its inaugural award for SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award.
The UCO Center was named the Region VI winner . Region VI includes five states with approximately 150 centers.
OSBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration
The OSBDC with UCO is affiliated with the University of Central Oklahoma and the College of Business Administration.
