W O R K S H O p  &  r o u n d t a b l e s

The Center for Family & Small Business (CFSB) hosts workshop and roundtables where successful entrepreneurs, and leaders, of family and/or small businesses discuss current challenges and strategies for business growth and success along with opportunities for U.S.-Mexico trade and commerce in the Paso del Norte region.

Community members are welcome to attend these events, where topics such as:

• Governance
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Value Creation
• Communication
• Family Business Mediation and Conflict Resolution
• Strategic Planning
• Financial Planning
• Fraud Detection & Deterrence
• Succession Planning
• Estate and tax planning
• Family Wealth Management
• Valuation issues –up-to-date IRS rulings
• Insurance planning
• Organizational structure
• E-Commerce
• Prepare current and future generations of family business leaders to lead entrepreneurial, sustainable family enterprises and be responsible stewards of family business assets.
• Create and maintain healthy family and working relationships:
  • Sibling and cousin rivalry
  • Spouses working together
  • Parents and children working together

i n d i v i d u a l i z e d  f a m i l y  a n d  s m a l l  b u s i n e s s  c o n s u l t i n g

The Director of the CFSB provides family and small businesses in the Borderplex region with a free two-hour business assessment and planning session.

The purpose of the session is to identify/discuss major opportunities and threats facing your business along with ways to grow the value of your business. 

Individual business focused fee-based consulting is also provided by UTEP faculty and community professionals on value creation topics that fall within their scope of expertise.

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T E X A S  V E N T U R E  F E S T

In partnership with Pioneers 21 and the Medical Center of the Americas, the CFSB co-hosts the annual Texas Venture Fest in El Paso.

This event connects El Paso’s startup and innovation community in the Borderplex region, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and those interested in learning about successful business strategies and entrepreneurship.

The CFSB’s primary goal is to help families and small businesses grow in the Paso del Norte region by developing future leaders.

CFSB engages students in business plan development for family businesses or startups, while providing practical experiences like consulting for real family-owned businesses, participating in case studies, and networking with business owners to gain insights into industry challenges and opportunities.

Key student engagement elements include:

• Preparation of Business Plans
• Student Mentoring
• Real-World Interaction
• Case Studies
• Specialized Curriculum

s T U D E N T  B E N E F I T S

• Practical experience:
  Gain hands-on experience in the challenges and complexities of managing a family and small businesses. 

• Career opportunities:
  Develop valuable skills and connections that can lead to future employment within family and small businesses. 

• Entrepreneurial mindset:
  Gain insights into the challenges and rewards of running a family and small business, potentially inspiring entrepreneurial pursuits. 

Application Process for Student Activity Award to complete Business Growth Plan

The CFSB conducts research to advance understanding of family businesses, small businesses, and entrepreneurship through the publication of peer-reviewed articles.

Research topics include:

• Creation, development, and generational transitions of family businesses
• Strategic management of family businesses
• Organizational behavior differences between family and non-family businesses
• Economic performance determinants of family businesses
• The role of family and small businesses in U.S.-Mexico trade and commerce

Recent Research Publications