Stephen Paprocki, founder of Texas Black Gold Garlic (TBGG), discovered his love of cooking watching his grandmother cook day in and day out. Growing up in a household where everything was made from scratch, including wine and beer, had a massive impact on him as a chef and entrepreneur in the culinary industry.

From 2012 to 2015, Paprocki worked for the Eurest / Compass Group as the Executive Chef for the NuStar Energy Corporate Café. It was working here that he was inspired to start Texas Black Gold Garlic, a company that heat-ages standard garlic, which is grown by independent farmers in Texas and throughout America.

He remembers that moment as if it were yesterday, when he asked the NuStar founder, Bill Greehey, for his advice on how to become successful. He suggested Stephen create a product he could sell back to the company. At the time, Stephen was already enthralled with making and utilizing black garlic to invent an extraordinary wing sauce, so it seemed a natural evolution of his career.

Stephen officially launched TBGG in 2015, and in less than five years, he has grown the business into a chef-driven national brand with products that can be found in stores across the United States, including H-E-B, Sprouts, and Central Market. TBGG has over a dozen chef ambassadors who love cooking with one of the most unique ingredients a chef has at their disposal. It’s been exciting for him to see renowned chefs like Thomas Keller use his products.

Additionally, Stephen launched another company, Pharma From the Farm, which sells black garlic, black ginger, and black shallot in capsule form as a health supplement. He has also spearheaded a single-clove garlic seed program to further support Texas farmers.

Although TBGG was doing well in Canada and Mexico before the pandemic, like everyone else, it took a hit. Thanks to the UTSA SBDC International Trade Center program, TBGG sales in these countries are back on track and have since exceeded their pre-pandemic numbers. The UTSA SBDC International Trade Center really gave TBGG the necessary tools to succeed, by providing valuable, in-depth marketing data. Next, TBGG is anticipating expansion into Greenland and Iceland.

Currently, TBGG is heavily pursuing additional wholesale accounts. It’s looking promising that their products will be in Publix grocery stores and Whole Foods soon, hopefully by early 2023. They will continue to work with other small businesses that wish to incorporate Black Gold Garlic into their own unique and delicious products, such as Bravado Spice Co.’s black garlic hot sauce, McCormick Black Garlic Sea Salt, and Dr. Mercola supplements. It’s such an honor for TBGG to have so many wonderful opportunities to collaborate and support other independent businesses.

“Julio and the ITC have greatly assisted TBGG. With your help, TBGG has increased its sales, year after year, since they began working with you, by a whopping 70 percent. Specifically, wholesale sales have increased by 10 percent; retail sales have increased by 200 percent, and product-to-product sales have increased by an outstanding 900 percent! We are so grateful for your hard work and integral knowledge and look forward to our continued partnership and growth.”

To learn more about Texas Black Gold Garlic., visit https://www.texasblackgoldgarlic.com/

SAT Energy is a San Antonio manufacturer of solar lights and related renewable products. Founded in 2015, it is the sister company of Sana International which exports industrial equipment and is a long-term client of the UTSA SBDC International Trade Center. Rossie Ortiz, SAT Energy’s Managing Director and mechanical engineer by training, notes that this is both their first venture into manufacturing and also focusing on both domestic and international sales. Solar lighting meets the needs of multiple users, and current customers range from municipalities to rural agricultural operations.

Both domestic and international sales were gaining momentum until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Moving to a larger manufacturing facility just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company was implementing a new manufacturing system which forced the company into lockdown leaving it with orders that they could not fill. Domestic sales have rebounded, largely because sales now include installation, but this approach has not worked internationally due to the cost of shipping poles abroad.

Similarly, export sales were building pre-COVID-19. Latin America is the company’s primary export market and its been particularly affected by COVID-19, but the company is exploring different sectors there to identify which ones are rebounding. There is significant interest in the region, but their ability to buy is only now starting to recover.

The UTSA SBDC International Trade Center has assisted SAT Energy both internationally and domestically by providing the company with market research reports. SAT Energy also participated in the 3^rd Pilot Internationalization Program, where they were able to find potential clients in Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico. As Rossie Ortiz notes, “The International Trade Center has helped SAT Energy enormously with the research and all the programs we get invited to participate in. Without the research, there is no way we would have been able to obtain clients and grow the way we are growing. The Center has always been our backbone aide we certainly can’t extend our sales without it.”

To learn more about SAT Energy, please visit https://sat-energy.biz/.

Irving, Texas, May 23, 2019 — Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented BESPOKE GROUP LLC with the President’s “E” Star Award for Exports at a Presidential Ceremony in Washington, D.C.. In total, Secretary Ross honored 48 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“The “E” Award Committee was very impressed with the Bespoke Group’s strategies for successfully combating trade barriers. The company’s export growth since receiving the President’s “E” Award for Exports in 2015 was also particularly notable. The Bespoke Group’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American Jobs.” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

BESPOKE GROUP LLC is a Processor & Exporter of Dry Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas & Beans grown in the U.S.A. The business model of Bespoke Group is designed to bring win-win for not only all stakeholders of their Global Supply Chain, but also for key contributors who are American Growers who are at the source beginning of the Supply Chain as well as World Consumers who are on the other side of the ocean and at the destination end of the Global Supply Chain.

Exports are critical to economic growth and job creation in communities across the country. With more than 96 percent of world’s consumer living outside the United States, opening more markets to US grown produce is fundamental to our nation’s competitiveness, job creation and economic security of our families said Mr. Divyesh Patel, who serves as CEO of the group and we are honored to receive the “E” Star Award.”

In 2018, U.S. exports were the highest on record with U.S. services at $821.1 billion and U.S. exports of goods reaching $1.7 trillion, demonstrating how American private enterprise can not only survive, but thrive, in the international market but that is not enough when we compare it with Japan or Germany’s exports and that is why acknowledging and sharing such milestones to creative people of the country and reaching out to all to inviting to collaborate is more important and key for our people, leadership & country.

Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of impact in five areas of Innovation, Economic Growth, Measurable Impact, Sustainable Impact & Job Creation along with innovative marketing plan in collaboration with SBDC Team led to increase in exports.

SBDC and ITC in collaboration with Institute of Economic Development has been working with Mr. Patel & his organization and it is our experience that Mr. Patel’s leadership & strength in this key areas have been a great contributor to the success.

Vision & Innovation:
Mr. Divyesh K. Patel has a global vision based on his solid track record in creation of unique Global Supply Chain with ‘Farm to Market’ business model & with his own retail brand with market for life.

Sustainable Impact:
Mr. Patel has created and developed three unique sales channels through which business is guaranteed 365 days/year regardless of change in any influencing factors such as currency, oil and/or market sentiments/business confidence.

Making a Difference:
Mr. Patel’s wish is to continue making a difference though utilizing his wisdom, investor & opportunity identification caliber, sharing his global knowledge, & offering leadership & support to many stakeholders like us including the Government of United States of America.

Mr. Patel has invested into processing facility here in the United States and has been committed to and focused on growing the Processing, Exporting & retailing side of the business.

Knowledge:
Certain investors or trading partners including people in the Government leadership are usually very sophisticated and conduct an extraordinary amount of due diligence on any business ventures or change they are considering.

Given the diverse nature of statistics of data & dealings from large trading countries like India as an example for doing business where investors or trading partners or leaders are of above unique kind, they connect easier and faster if they are given hand holding of an individual such as of Mr. Patel who was born and comes from enterprising business family (From State of Gujarat) in India. These prospering and proven ‘Gujarati Business Community’ is well known as amongst “best of the best” of business people in the world.

Current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is from the state of Gujarat and the entire World is witnessing the fact ‘how confidence level’ is at its peak in the entire country of India today.

“Gujarati” business people are known for their best practice in due diligence and having a resource of Gujarati business person on our side can play timely and very impactful role when it comes to ‘creating right environment’ for making directional decisions and/or knowledge and expertise in the industry represented, trade matters decisions and diversity among sectors, product lines, firm size, geographic areas and demographic groups.

Partnership:
Finding or creating a sound stable trade environment demands right partnership and spirit. Quality & depth of interest of partners or stakeholders available also contributes towards confidence building which is key in smooth trade. One core skill of Mr. Patel is to identify opportunities in a challenging environment and partner up at the right time and place. With his entrepreneurship dynamism, he is able to quickly find, connect and partner up to capitalize on every opportunity in hand and ahead.

Timing:
It is all about timely finding opportunity, partner, stakeholder and educating stakeholder so one can make informed decision. Track record shows that Mr. Patel’s planned initiatives and persistent approach combined with right knowledge and positive energy & timely action, has helped him continue to make significant contribution in his business ventures as well as his community building efforts.

Dallas based entrepreneur Mr. Divyesh Patel continues to be a key impact creator in this contribution to the US economy. Under his leadership and vision, Bespoke Group LLC created ‘From US Farms to World Market supply chain facilitating not only American farmers but also consumers of the world who are able to enjoy high quality Pulses (Legumes) in their diet.

To learn more about Mr. Patel & his organization, visit medium.com/@DivyeshPatel or www.globalagco.com or www.americantopnotch.com or www.ancientsuperfood.com.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the demand for the biotechnological applications of human tissue for regenerative medical application far exceeds the supply. The greatest impediments to commercializing this technology stem from immature regulatory regimes in many regions of the world, ill equip to manage the sensitive activity in this industry. Developed countries have taken a largely sterile, sober, and scientific approach. However, much of the developing world has seen black markets, human trafficking, and “transplant tourism” manifest where institutional and cultural hesitancy and discomfort have impeded the development of modernized regulatory regimes.

CellRight Technologies® executive leadership team has over 120 years of combined experience in healthcare and biologics.  In 2017, SBDC: SBDC International Trade Center Sr. Advisor Peter Grabiec began working with CellRight CEO Jesus Hernandez to assist in implementing an ambitious global expansion plan. Peter assisted CellRight by providing an industry overview of international markets, a framework of global and regional regulatory regimes, and an assessment of the state of and progress made in international standardization in the industry.

In early 2018 CellRight Technologies® participated in the first round of a pilot international business matchmaking program implemented by SBDCGlobal – a part of the SBDC International Trade Center– in partnership with our international SBDC’s across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The assistance that we have received from SBDC has been instrumental to our ability to expand into global markets.” -Jesus Hernandez

With quality advising from the SBDC International Trade Center, the experienced and ambitious team of entrepreneurs at CellRight barrel ahead with their international expansion plans. Pioneering in the cutting-edge field of biotechnology, CellRight Technologies® works on the front lines in setting the standards for their industry on a global stage, as they reflect the excellence and innovation of the San Antonio community, the state of Texas, and our Nation as a whole.

To learn more about CellRight Technologies, please visit https://www.tissueregenix.com/

SpeedTech Lights is a Texas-based manufacturer of emergency vehicle lighting and sound signaling equipment, such as LED light bars and sirens and speakers.  The company produces a full range of emergency signaling equipment and recently moved into a new, large headquarters and production facility, reflecting the company’s rapid growth and anticipated future growth. High quality products and a focus on customer service are key to the company’s success.

The company was founded in 2004 and began to export in 2007, initially to Central America.

Today, SpeedTech Lights views exporting as a key factor in company growth, and its products can be found in over 40 countries. The company hopes to move well beyond this number, eventually reaching all countries where U.S. regulations permit emergency vehicle light and sound signaling equipment to be shipped. Challenges remain, particularly concerning educating customers on logistics costs and customs clearance. The company works with new customers to ensure products arrive by the most affordable and quickest transportation method.

The SBDC UTSA International Trade Center began working with SpeedTech Lights in 2016 to extend its reach globally and has focused on identifying potential distributors in Central, South America, and the Caribbean. Company Vice President Ferdous Deyaf notes, ”The data that the International Trade Center compiles allows us to pinpoint potential customers.  This resource is something that all small businesses looking to export should use.  Anything that takes the world and puts it in the palm of your hands is a resource well worth using.  That’s how we view the International Trade Center”.

To learn more about SpeedTech Lights, visit www.speedtechlights.com/

Domos Water Technologies is a subsidiary of a well-known Mexican public works and construction company called Grupo Oneo, which was founded 27 years ago under their previous name, Grupo Domos. One of their business lines, which is focused on the design, construction and operation of municipal water treatment plants, conducts its activities under the name Domos Agua.

As Domos Agua decided to expand its services to the United States, they established a new business in Dallas, Texas called Domos Water Technologies. The goal is to use that location to manage sales and projects for water treatment plants that will be manufactured in Mexico and readied for distribution in the U.S.
Francisco Arias, Domos Water Technologies’ President, thus found himself in need of an investment business plan to guide the company throughout this implementation process. He was referred to the Texas International Business Accelerator program by the City of San Antonio’s Casa program, which promotes investment and trade to San Antonio and Texas out of Mexico City.

The TIBA staff worked closely with Domos Water Technologies’ executives and offered business planning expertise, business advice and an investment plan among other resources that the company was able to utilize as valuable tools. With TIBA’s assistance, Domos Water Technologies created three U.S. jobs and is now working towards reaching $900,000 in sales during their first year of operations.

To learn more about McMillan Control Flow, visit www.domoswater.com/

The McMillan Company is a leading manufacturer of compact flow sensors, switches, and controllers that are used in multiple industries, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment, automotive fuel consumption research, pharmaceutical research, water quality monitoring, and scientific research. With less than 50 employees, the Georgetown, Texas-based company is considered a leader in its field.
Exporting is key for its business as McMillan products are found on nearly every continent and account for above 40 percent of the sales. The company faces various common problems for small manufacturing exporters, including timely payments by foreign buyers, cultural and language issues, and finding distributors interested in selling solutions, rather than simply adding their product line.

Currently, McMillan’s major export markets include Japan, Taiwan, and Germany. The International Trade Center has been working with McMillan to grow their export sales by identifying new customers in the United Kingdom and Canadian markets and will shortly undertake a study of opportunities in Australia. Mariann Jones, the company’s point of contact with the ITC notes:
“The ITC has been of assistance in helping us identify possible sales opportunities as well as possible new distributors. It has also helped us identify who might be our competition and where they are located. This is important to us because we need to know which products we have stiff competition for and which ones we don’t, so we can focus on finding customers and distributors for the products that we both do best and are most unique to the market.”

To learn more about McMillan Control Flow, visit www.mcmflow.com

El Paso Rubber Recycling, located in El Paso, Texas, is a company dedicated to importing rubber scrap from Mexico, processing the scrap into recycled rubber, and manufacturing rubber products from the recycled rubber. The company’s mission is to be the best at discovering and repurposing materials that would otherwise end up at landfills through specialized technologies and exceptional service.
El Paso Rubber Recycling was founded by UTEP students with a focus on international business activities. Its business model is defined by the ability to import rubber scrap from manufacturing companies in Mexico, and then process this scrap rubber into recycled rubber for different applications such as mulch, chips, decorative bricks for landscaping, etc., which in turn will be sold domestically and also exported.

Thus, they contacted the ITC because they needed international trade advising and training which were provided by one of our senior international business advisors. As a result of the assistance received, El Paso Rubber Recycling has successfully conducted its first importation of two rubber scrap containers from Mexico for $15,000, retaining 3 jobs.

“As a new company, we needed to receive immediate assistance to understand the technicalities of importing, the dos and don’ts, and answers to all our international trade questions to successfully conduct our first import. We contacted El Paso SBDC and they put us in touch with Alberto Rodriguez-Baez at UTSA’s International Trade Center. He has answered our questions and provided invaluable guidance, training and resources”, said Alberto Gonzalez, president of El Paso Rubber Recycling and one of its founders.
“Importing the scrap rubber is a means to an end, not an end in itself. It will allow us to manufacture recycled rubber goods that we will sell in the US and abroad. We will be contacting Alberto again to receive assistance to export our products. I highly recommend the International Trade Center services to anyone involved in international trade.”

The next step is to provide El Paso Rubber Recycling’s staff with international marketing and sales training in order to successfully export their products.

Back in 2011, Philip Gold thought there was a need for incorporating wearable LED lighting that could be attached to safety gear. Existing lights for bicycles, motorcycles, and construction helmets were generally of low intensity that failed to illuminate enough to significantly impact visibility. A mechanical engineer by training, Philip developed an LED lighting system for motorcycle helmets. With a U.S. patent application under review, Lumenflex was born. Supported by strong product reviews, the motorcycle helmets quickly became popular at motorcycle rallies and trade shows, enabling slow but steady company growth. Word of mouth and having the chance to see the superior features of Lumenflex products have been critical to the company’s success. Over time, the initial product evolved into designs for bicycle helmets, baseball caps, construction hard hats and safety lights for runners.

Internet visibility also brought Lumenflex another type of customer. Inquiries began to flow in from potential customers in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and elsewhere.
With little background in developing and handling exports, Lumenflex began working with Doug Smith of the International Trade Center, who helped Philip understand the logistical issues of selling internationally and providing market research and strategies to more specifically target customers abroad. Currently, the company has customers in Canada and is working on forming distributorships in the U.K.

Lumenflex anticipates continued international growth as additional distributors abroad are identified and put in place.

To learn more about Lumenflex, visit www.lumenflex.com