Many entrepreneurs believe lack of capital is their biggest challenge, but skill, not funding, is what truly drives sustainable business growth. This article explores why skill comes first, how the Five C’s define capital readiness, and how the SBDC and SBA provide the tools to build lasting capacity.

Starting a small business in rural West Texas takes more than passion, it takes purpose, planning, and awareness. Learn the essential steps to launch legally in Texas, craft your mission and vision, understand your numbers, and avoid the dangers of what you don’t yet know.

The Abilene SBDC is using Google’s NotebookLM to enhance how we create and share small business resources. By integrating AI into our content process, we’re improving clarity, consistency, and efficiency—ensuring every guide, article, and handout reflects accurate, up-to-date information. This initiative demonstrates how responsible AI use can empower small business owners to organize knowledge, save time, and make better decisions with confidence.