Run the Room — Texas
Resources for people starting and running a business in Texas — the national programs that apply everywhere, the state offices that register and support businesses here, and the local help in Texas's largest metro areas. Compiled by Run the Room, the weekly podcast on how business actually works, hosted by Alex and Jordan.
Texas Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Dallas / Fort Worth District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA El Paso District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Houston District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA San Antonio District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA West Texas District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Texas.
- Small Business Development CenterTexas SBDC Network (SBDCTexas)
Free, confidential business advising and low-cost training across Texas.
- Business Registration & Entity SearchTexas Secretary of State — Business Services
Register a business, search entity records, and keep filings current.
- Commerce & Economic DevelopmentTexas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Office of the Governor
The state's economic development agency — programs, incentives, and business assistance.
- State Chamber of CommerceTexas Association of Business (the Texas State Chamber of Commerce)
The statewide business association and chamber network.
- Business One-Stop PortalTexas.gov — Starting a Business in Texas
The state's official one-stop portal for business registration and licensing.
Local Resources — Largest Metro Areas
Houston
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Houston
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterTexas Gulf Coast SBDC Network (University of Houston SBDC)
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Houston Partnership
The metro chamber of commerce.
Dallas–Fort Worth
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Dallas (serves Dallas–Fort Worth, North & East Texas)
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterNorth Texas SBDC
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceDallas Regional Chamber
The metro chamber of commerce.
Austin
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Austin
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterTexas State University SBDC (serves the Austin–San Marcos corridor)
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Austin Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
San Antonio
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Southwest Texas (serves San Antonio, Hill Country, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend)
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterUTSA Small Business Development Center (San Antonio)
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
National Resources
- National ResourceU.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency for small business — starting, funding, growing, and government contracting.
- National ResourceSBA Local Assistance Finder
Find SBA offices, SBDCs, SCORE chapters, and other resource partners near you.
- National ResourceSCORE — Mentoring & Workshops
Free mentoring and low-cost workshops from experienced business volunteers.
- National ResourceAmerica's SBDC
The national network of Small Business Development Centers — free advising in every state.
- National ResourceSBA Funding Programs
Loans, investment capital, grants, and surety bonds administered or backed by the SBA.
- National ResourceIRS Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Center
Federal tax guidance, forms, and deadlines for small businesses and the self-employed.
- National ResourceUSA.gov — Business
The federal government's official business portal: licenses, permits, and regulations.
- National ResourceMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Programs and business centers supporting minority-owned businesses.
- National ResourceVeterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
Business training and counseling for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Listen
New episodes every Sunday at 7:00 PM ET — business built from the very beginning. Browse the complete episode index, or listen on your platform of choice:
Resource links point to official program and agency sites and were verified when this page was generated. Programs and URLs change — if a link fails, the SBA Local Assistance Finder above will route you to the current office.