Camden, NJ- On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, LAEDA hosted the final class of its Entrepreneurship Development Training Program (EDTP) Session 96. The class brought together nine highly motivated and dedicated entrepreneurs, representing a vast variety of industries including food-service, janitorial & lawn care services, support coordination agency, perfumes & beauty services, haircare & skincare services, food retailer, Tax preparation & accounting services and children’s books. Over the course of the nine-week program, participants received 72 + hours of training from industry professionals as well as business planning education and business counseling.
Ray Lamboy, LAEDA’s President and Chief Executive Officer concluded the session by bringing back the first day’s conversation and asking the class to reflect back on what they have learned.
“So is it the light of opportunity or are you going to get run over?” Ray asked while displaying a picture of a tunnel with a light in the far distance.
The class answered that it is the light of opportunity.
In addition, Ray added to the discussion that it is vital to account for everything from A to Z when calculating one’s Cost of Goods Sold. We need to take the time to invest in ourselves and our business, doing continuous research, keep moving forward and keep on driving on our road to our business success.
“You need more than knowledge, resources and information to be successful; you need to put it into work so do your push-ups and apply what you’ve learned, “Ray describes, “Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your business and your future.”
What are the next steps from here? Ray lists many vital steps to take onward:
• Finish your business plan
• Apply what you learned; this is the beginning of your future
• Be a life learner
• Work on your skills
• Protect your investment
• Success is a journey, it is not a destination so keep on working toward your success and take advantage of information, resources and professionals around you.
At LAEDA we encourage our clients to be life learners. All of us are teachers and students; we teach someone every day and we learn something each and every day as well. Ray left us with some valuable and informative books because it is crucial for entrepreneurs and or business owners to work on not just professional development, but self-development as well.
List of books:
· Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
· The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
· Traction by Gino Wickman
· What To Say When You Talk To Your Self by Shad Helmstetter
· Applebee’s America by Douglas B. Sosnik and Matthew J. Dowd
· How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
· Know Your Value by Mika Brzezinski
· Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz
· The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
Ray asked what were some of the challenges and what were some of the highlights of this program. The most essential challenge for this session was the cost of goods sold. However, with the one-on-one’s that LAEDA provides the students were able to get the best of what they needed more help and guidance in.
Next the floor opened to LAEDA staff…
Annabel Soto, LAEDA’s Office Administrator expresses, “Keep in touch with us and if it did not work for you that is when LAEDA needs to help you and we are always there for our alumni and love seeing their successes.”
Mariana Hinojosa, LAEDA’s Women Business Center Assistant Program Manager says, “Remember step by step, keep in contact, ask questions and we are here to help you succeed.”
“See the value of our program, from here please take it and push forward and connect the dots and keep on going because this is only the beginning, “Jamila Powell, LAEDA’s Program Manager at the Women’s Business Center addresses, “We also have a great opportunity which is LAEDA’s IDA for Entrepreneurship powered by United Way that usually our students like to take advantage of as soon as they are done from the 9 Week program because they already have 2 steps out of the three done.”
Sehrish Khan, LAEDA’s Training Coordinator at LAEDA’s Business Service Center states, “The connections that each one of you have in this room are of essence. Stay in touch and help each other and this is not just your networking system, but your support system as well, both of which are important components to have.”
Be a life learner and continue to work on yourself and your business! LAEDA offers seminars and short-term courses in various counties of South Jersey throughout the year. A long-term course is also offered three times per year where entrepreneurs receive 72 + hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and business counseling. The program is free, but you must qualify.
LAEDA welcomes you to join our community of successful entrepreneurs. Visit our website at www.laeda.com or call (856) 338-1177 to learn more.
Stay connected with us on our social media platforms @LAEDA1987 (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram & Twitter).