The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County welcomed Rhonda Ellisor as the guest speaker for its April 21 luncheon. Representing the Sam Houston State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Ellisor shared valuable insights into the wide range of resources available to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Ellisor explained that the SBDC operates three convenient locations, including the EMCID office in New Caney, the Sam Houston State University campus in Huntsville, and the SHSU campus in The Woodlands. Through these locations, the SBDC provides no-cost advising and support services to help businesses start, grow, and succeed.
She highlighted the many ways the SBDC assists clients, including business planning, selecting a legal structure, preparing for access to capital, sales and marketing strategies, research, accounting, financial analysis, strategic planning, and guidance on certifications and government contracting.
One of the most engaging parts of Ellisor’s presentation focused on video marketing, one of the SBDC’s most popular services. She shared that 85% of businesses now use video as part of their marketing strategy, with an impressive 83% return on investment — the highest among media formats. Short-form videos, such as those on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, are especially effective, with videos under one minute generating the highest engagement. Viewers also retain up to 95% of a message when watching a video, compared to just 10% when reading text.
Rotary members appreciated the practical tools and strategies shared during the presentation, particularly the emphasis on accessible, no-cost resources that can make a significant impact on local businesses.
Ellisor, who is also a member of the Rotary Club of Huntsville, was thanked for her informative and engaging presentation and for her continued support of the small business community across the region.