UTSA students to gain real-world experience through new entrepreneurship program partnering with small business owners | UTSA Today

Purnima Chawla, an associate professor of practice in the UTSA Department of Management, is leading a program in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the UTSA Valdez Institute for Economic Development. This program aims to provide assistance to community entrepreneurs, especially those in economically stagnant neighborhoods, while also equipping students with the skills needed to consult with these entrepreneurs and help them develop business plans.

Chawla explained that the program was originally established at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. Students in the program attend additional classes to learn business frameworks and soft skills necessary for consulting with entrepreneurs. They also conduct industry research and background work on the entrepreneur’s company they are partnered with.

One student who participated in the program is Gabriel Monterrubio, a business management major set to graduate in the fall. He, along with his father Gabriel Monterrubio Sr., who served as a mentor on a different team, worked with local entrepreneur Oscar Perez, the owner of Tio Pelon’s Salsita. Monterrubio Jr. assisted Perez in developing a plan to expand his business and attract new investors.

Monterrubio shared that he initially joined the program to gain valuable experiences that employers seek, similar to what an internship would offer. He found the program to be a great opportunity for problem-solving and felt valued as a consultant by Perez and their team’s mentor. The program also provided weekly guest speakers who offered insights into the realities of running a small business.

Richard Sifuentes, the director of the SBDC, described the SURE program as a “grand collaboration” that benefits both students and small business owners in the long run. Students gain new skill sets and confidence to carry into their careers post-graduation, while small business owners gain a better understanding of next steps and a renewed sense of direction for their businesses. Both groups have expressed their enjoyment of the program and their desire to see it continue and grow in the future.

In conclusion, the SURE program led by Purnima Chawla at UTSA is providing valuable opportunities for students to gain practical experience in consulting with entrepreneurs while also offering crucial support to small business owners in economically stagnant neighborhoods. The program’s success is evident in the positive feedback from participants and the potential for continued growth and impact in the future.