iTTU Mentor

Ray Laurent

Functional Expertise

• Business Planning

• Financial Analysis

• International Trade

Industry Expertise

• Starting a Business

• Small Business Lending

• Financial Proforma

Ray Laurent is the Director of the Texas Tech Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Lubbock, and a native of France. Starting his career in Europe with brief professional stints in Sweden, France and Luxembourg, Ray moved to West Texas to work as an International Trade Specialist with an emphasis on market research, international methods of payments and foreign buyer financing, helping local companies start and grow their export sales. Consulting with entrepreneurs at the SBDC for the last 15 years, Ray has assisted many start-ups and existing small businesses with their planning, training and financing, including SBA loans, business plans, financial proforma, marketing plans, and more.

Ray obtained an MBA from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree from Lyon3 University – France, with undergraduate degrees in France and England.