New entrepreneurship program pairs UTSA students with small business owners for real-world experience | UTSA Today | UTSA

Purnima Chawla, associate professor of practice in the UTSA Department of Management, leads the program, which is offered in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the UTSA Valdez Institute for Economic Development.

“The program does two things: It provides community entrepreneurs, especially those in economically stagnant neighborhoods, with assistance for their small business, and our students learn the skills they need to consult with the entrepreneurs and help them develop business plans,” said Chawla, who noted the program originated at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business.

“The students attend a few more classes than the entrepreneurs to learn business frameworks and soft skills to consult with the entrepreneurs. They also do a lot of industry research and background work into the company of the entrepreneur they are partnered with,” she said.

UTSA student Gabriel Monterrubio, who will graduate in the fall with his degree in business management, signed up for the program, along with his father Gabriel Monterrubio Sr., who joined a different team as a mentor. Monterrubio Jr. worked with local entrepreneur Oscar Perez, owner of Tio Pelon’s Salsita. He helped Perez to develop a plan to expand his business and attract new investors for the project.

The younger Moterrrubio had been searching for internships before he was told about the SURE Program by one of his professors.

“I thought the program could offer me useful experiences that employers are looking for, similar to what an internship would offer,” he said. “There’s been a lot of problem solving through this program, and Oscar and our team’s mentor have taken me seriously as a consultant. They made me feel like my input is valuable.”  

The UTSA student also gave credit to SURE’s team mentors for building confidence in the student consultants, and to the weekly guest speakers, who offered insight into what it’s really like to run a small business.  

Richard Sifuentes, director of the SBDC, described the SURE program as a “grand collaboration” that will benefit its participants for the long run.

“The students gained new skillsets and a confidence that they can carry forward into their careers after graduation, and the small business owners came away with a better understanding of next steps and a renewed sense of direction for their businesses,” Sifuentes said. “Both enjoyed the program and want to see it continue in the future and to grow.”