Growing Pains for Small Business

Azure Marketing Communications started by Dane Miller in 2001, is a dynamic design and marketing firm that delivers all types of highly customized marketing tools in the form of graphic design for print, web, e-marketing, events and public relations.

In just seven years, Miller has built the client base into a solid mix of entrepreneurial start-up firms to highly visible Fortune 500 companies across the U.S.

As the company experienced growing pains, the owners realized that they needed concrete advice to move from a small boutique firm to a solid world class organization. That is when they eagerly sought guidance from the Collin Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

SBDCs are resource partners of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and provide a variety of management and technical assistance services to small businesses and potential entrepreneurs.

Miller attended classes at the Collin SBDC to help him build a solid business plan. Miller took full advantage of meeting with professional business counselors and expert volunteers in areas of liability business insurance, streamlining accounting processes, and business structuring concerns. The company implemented tools and policies that put the foundation in place to have their day-to-day business functions and growth strategies match their abilities.

Azure Marketing Communications has managed to grow despite the current economic situation. Miller’s continued efforts to reach out to the Collin SBDC for guidance and training has enabled the business to run more efficiently and effectively in tough times.

Miller and two employees work mostly from their home offices, and in just a short time, the sales have grown to over $800,000 with good expectations for future growth.

Materials, services or products offered by providers to SBDC clients are available as a resource for you to locate professionals who can assist you with business concerns. Making these sources available to you does not imply or constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the SBDC, but is only intended to be a convenience for you. You must perform your “due diligence” by interviewing the individuals or companies to determine if they meet your needs. If you do retain their services, be sure to obtain your agreement in writing: who is responsible for what; what work is to be performed; what is not included; what is the cost.

A partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Bill Priest Campus of El Centro College, a division of the Dallas County Community College District. Funded in part through Cooperative Agreement # 9-603001-0046-22 with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the policy of the Dallas County Community College District and Collin College that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran.