unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
Opening a restaurant isn't for the faint of heart. However, for Ryan Hildebrand, a seasoned chef and successful restaurant owner, the dream of starting Hildee's on the Square in Hays County, Texas, was worth pursuing. Nestled in the heart of Hill Country, the concept was clear: a culinary hotspot that would blend Southern charm with contemporary flavors. However, the path to securing financing for such an ambitious venture wasn't as straightforward.
Hildebrand faced the daunting task of negotiating seller financing to purchase the restaurant assets. While he had the experience and vision to succeed, securing the right financial structure was critical to making Hildee's on the Square a reality.
"Today, Hildee's on the Square is a shining example of what can be achieved with vision, hard work, and the right support."
Hildebrand turned to the San Jacinto Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for expert guidance. Business advisor Mehboob "Ali" Udawala worked closely with Hildebrand, reviewing and assessing the assets to be purchased, plus preparing a well-crafted purchase proposal. Ali's financial expertise and strategic insight helped Hildebrand confidently approach the seller and secure the necessary financing.
"The numbers had to make sense, and Ryan's vision deserved a solid financial foundation," Udawala said. "We worked together to accomplish all due diligence necessary to craft a proposal that reflected the potential of this business. Watching Hildee's come to life has been incredibly rewarding."
With a strong proposal and guidance from the SBDC, Hildebrand successfully negotiated seller financing, allowing him to open Hildee's on the Square. The restaurant has since become a thriving success in Hays County, creating 31 new jobs and delivering an exceptional dining experience to locals and visitors alike.
Reflecting on the journey, Hildebrand said, "The support from Ali and the San Jacinto College SBDC was invaluable. He gave me the confidence to negotiate acceptable financing and helped ensure that every piece of the deal was rock solid. I couldn't have done it without them."
Today, Hildee's on the Square is a shining example of what can be achieved with vision, hard work, and the right support.
Dr. Thi Nguyen faced significant challenges on his journey to establish and expand First Response Urgent Care. Initially, he struggled to secure the necessary capital to open his first clinic due to student debt and limited financial resources as a recent medical resident. After leasing a property, he encountered unexpected delays due to water damage, which required extensive repairs and postponed the clinic's launch. Later, as he sought to open a second location in Lumberton in 2023, Dr. Nguyen once again faced the need for substantial funding and logistical support to navigate the complexities of expansion.
"I am grateful to the SBDC, especially Dana, for helping this farm boy and Vietnamese boat refugee come home and become the hometown doctor I have dreamed of being since middle school. Today, after nine years, First Response Urgent Care is expanding and serving our Southeast Texas communities at the Port Arthur and Lumberton clinics, providing accessible, high-quality, and affordable medical care at a fraction of ER costs. I am also extremely proud to be the only doctor-owned and operated urgent care in Southeast Texas."
When Dr. Nguyen decided to expand First Response Urgent Care, he returned to the Lamar State SBDC in 2023, where his advisors helped him secure additional capital to open a second location in Lumberton. Previously, the SBDC, through advisors Linda Tait and later Dana Espinal, had played a pivotal role in launching his first clinic. They assisted Dr. Nguyen with drafting a business plan, connecting him with a banker, and finding a suitable location. Their ongoing support allowed him to scale his operations, making his vision of accessible healthcare in Southeast Texas a reality.
In 2023, with SBDC's guidance, Dr. Nguyen successfully expanded First Response Urgent Care to a second location in Lumberton, growing his team to 24 full-time employees across both clinics. Since its initial launch in July 2015, the clinic has consistently exceeded patient expectations, quickly establishing a positive reputation in the community. Over the years, Dr. Nguyen and his clinic received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Tekoa Academy Star Award, the Professional Services Business of the Year Award, and the title of "Best Doctor" in Port Arthur. Today, Dr. Nguyen continues to provide high-quality, affordable care as the only doctor-owned urgent care in Southeast Texas.
Alyssa Fairchild, owner of Katy Speech and Language, faced the challenge of expanding her team and securing funding for her first physical clinic location in 2020. Later, as her business grew, she needed assistance to hire additional staff and explore funding options for a second location to support her expanding patient base.
"The SBDC has played a valuable role since the formation of my business and continues to help me expand and serve more patients ... The SBDC has provided me with so much valuable information throughout my journey as a business owner. I have and will continue to recommend this wonderful resource to fellow business owners."
The Fort Bend SBDC supported Fairchild with HR guidance, marketing advice, and financial planning. Her advisor assisted with understanding employee contracts, payroll, and cash flow to ensure hiring aligned with her goals. The SBDC also helped with loan and grant options and provided support on the business plan for a successful loan application. In 2023, Fairchild worked with her advisor on acquiring funding for a new clinic, marketing strategies, and professional development through the SBA THRIVE program.
With SBDC's guidance, Fairchild successfully hired her first full-time employee, secured funding for her Richmond clinic, and expanded Katy Speech and Language to 20 employees across two locations. Her business surpassed $1 million in revenue and continues to grow, serving an expanding patient base with valuable community impact.
