Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — As Bruce Huber neared his retirement after 35 years at communications company RR Donnelley, he and his wife, Tonya, decided to pursue his passion for working the land and hospitality by opening Huber Gardens, an agritourism business six miles west of downtown Nacogdoches. But they needed some help with the “business” part.
While temporarily employed as an administrative assistant at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2022, Tonya heard about SFA’s Small Business Resource Hub and its director, Larry Cain, in the Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship at the Rusche College of Business. The Small Business Resource Hub’s free services are helping the Hubers turn their passion into profit.
“Larry has taken the time to share business insight and encouragement with us and invite us to business-oriented seminars that gave us access to other helpful advice and resources,” Tonya said.
Cain said that many small businesses, from agritourism and retail shops to event centers and assisted living facilities, can benefit greatly from the Small Business Resource Hub’s services.
“At no cost to our clients, our services include loan proposals, marketing, retailing, advertising, budgeting, business planning and personnel management,” Cain said. “We also are able to assist nonprofits, particularly in the areas of budgeting and finance, and organizational issues."
In June 2023, Huber Gardens opened at 1532 County Road 713 on about 10 acres of land. When in season, naturally grown gourmet garlic, produce and pick-your-own flowers are available. Woodwork and dried herbs are available year-round.
“For our customers’ enjoyment, we also offer a nature trail, a picnic and sitting area, outdoor games, and a narrated hayride,” Tonya said. “As an agritourism business, we strive to provide a family-friendly country environment for all to enjoy and experience.”
The Hubers continue to reach out to Cain to grow the business.
“We appreciate that Larry has made himself available to us as an ongoing resource when we have questions or need help,” Tonya said.
The Small Business Resource Hub, housed in the Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, is one of several entities launched recently by the Rusche College of Business to help bolster local businesses. Others include Business and Community Services and the Center for Business and Economic Research.
For more information on the Huber Gardens website, which is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, visit their website. For more information on the Small Business Resource Hub, visit the website.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at the SFA website.