It takes more than capital to start a business. It also takes courage.
This weekend, on Small Business Saturday, I encourage you to celebrate the 2.4 million small businesses that drive the dynamic Texas economy. Shop small and shop local in Austin — both in person and online.
The story of Texas has long been written by men and women willing to take a risk, to dig deep into their own pockets and stake their future on an idea. That pioneering spirit fuels our shared prosperity.
That’s why I will be working with the Texas Legislature this coming session to reduce runaway regulations — a hidden tax that disproportionately hurts small-business job creation.
Small businesses now constitute 98.6 percent of all businesses in Texas and employ nearly half of all private-sector employees.
“My goal as governor is to help small businesses grow even faster in Texas,” writes Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seen ... Read More
It’s no surprise that Texas is ranked No. 1 for small-business friendliness and for startup activity — and that small-business owners in Texas are the most likely to refer to their state government as supportive.
Last legislative session, we slashed the franchise tax to spur job creation; we removed roadblocks for veteran-owned businesses; and we reined in burdensome state regulations to allow free enterprise to flourish.
Texas needs small businesses to succeed, whether its small retailers, manufacturers, professional services firms or software companies like TrendKite.
+Gov. Greg Abbott: Small business is big business in Texas photo LAURA SKELDING
Hans Flentge sells handcrafted leather goods and jewelry at the Pine Street Market in Bastrop. “Shop small and shop local. The ... Read More
Matt Allison studied economics and engineering entrepreneurship in college before building several successful software businesses and then co-founding TrendKite in 2012 to help the nation’s biggest brands and public relations agencies measure the impact of their print, broadcast and online media coverage.
TrendKite has since tripled its office space in downtown Austin, having rapidly expanded its workforce to 150 — and counting.
Through innovation and a focus on quality — and access to one of the top tech-talent pools in the nation—TrendKite has grown from a small startup into one of the premier PR analytics software companies in the country.
Shoppers walk along a section of locally owned boutiques, stores and services on South Congress Avenue in September. “Self-employed entrepreneurs and ... Read More
Allison’s advice to budding entrepreneurs: “Never give up, do right and fear no person” — because anyone can turn their Texas-sized dreams into reality.
TrendKite is just one of many tech success stories in Texas, the top incubator state for startups thanks to a welcoming business climate and continuing venture capital investments.
Austin and Dallas are the top two cities in Texas for venture investments and rank as the fifth and sixth top tech-talent markets in the U.S.
Midland leads the nation in the percentage of jobs created by startups.
In total, self-employed entrepreneurs and small employers create an annual economic impact in Texas of over $1 trillion.
But there is more work to do.
My goal as governor is to help small businesses grow even faster in Texas.
That’s why my office hosts Small Businesses Forums in communities around the state, including the next forum in Round Rock on Dec. 1, which connects entrepreneurs with expert advice on financing, networking, marketing and more.
That’s why we are investing $2 million in the Business Hub for Women Entrepreneurs at Texas Woman’s University.
And that’s why I tasked the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency and Higher Education Coordinating Board with developing an action plan that places our education system on a parallel pathway with the changing needs of Texas employers.
I also invite you to invest in the small businesses in your community by celebrating Texas Small Business Saturday.
Shop small and shop local. The small business you help grow today becomes the job you help create tomorrow.