Are you starting a new business or ready to grow your current one? Join us for an informational session and workshop on the Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship (SURE™) program — now offered in San Antonio through UTSA’s Alvarez College of Business and the Small Business Development Center!
SURE™ is a nationally recognized, award-winning program originally launched at the University of Houston. It empowers entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and mentorship to successfully build and grow businesses. Nearly 700 businesses have been created through SURE™, with 77% led by Black or Latino entrepreneurs.
At this session, you’ll learn:
- What the SURE™ program is and how it works
- What you’ll gain from participating (mentorship, planning tools, strategy, and connections)
- How to apply and what’s expected of you as an entrepreneur
- How SURE™ can help you turn your business goals into a profitable reality
Program Highlights:
- 12 evening sessions at UTSA’s Downtown Campus
- Hands-on support from instructors, professional mentors, and student consultants
- Free to entrepreneurs
- Certificate of completion from an award-winning business education program
Whether you have a business idea or are already up and running, this is your chance to explore how the SURE™ program can help take your venture to the next level.
If you have any questions about the program, you can reach out to Christa Luna, Program Manager @ [email protected]
About Dr. Chawla:Dr. Purnima Chawla is Associate Professor of Management and Director of Entrepreneurship Education at the Alvarez College of Business at UTSA. Before joining the College, she ran her own consulting firm—CNPS, LLC—which provided organizational, programmatic and communication strategies for mission-focused organizations. Prior to that, Dr. Chawla held senior management roles at marquee consulting firms based in Washington, DC. Her clients include government agencies like the NASA and NIH; corporations like Johnson and Johnson; and nonprofits like Oxfam America and the American Diabetes Association.Purnima combines strong analytical and business skills with the ability to motivate people to innovate, adapt and thrive. Over a career spanning two decades, Dr. she has guided many leadership teams through strategic transitions and challenges, addressing issues such as establishing new revenue streams, launching new products and services, negotiating leadership transitions, and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders. She is an insightful strategist, a respectful and authentic communicator, and a skilled facilitator who can bridge divisions and bring people together to achieve ambitious goals. She leads with integrity, openness and compassion—qualities that inspire confidence and bring out the best in others.Purnima received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York. She lived in Washington, D.C. and Northern California before moving to San Antonio in 2017. She enjoys outdoor activities like running, walking, biking, and hiking. She also practices yoga and loves cooking and baking.
