Marcus Lemonis is known as the “business turnaround king” or “the fixer”. Lemonis’ notoriety has been established by his tenacity, shrewdness and determination. His biggest success is as the chairman and CEO of Camping World, the nation’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, and Good Sam, the world’s largest RV owner’s organization. On The Profit, he lends his expertise to struggling small businesses around the country. 

 

“As a big fan of the show, I know what he has done for numerous business owners,” says Mariluz Gonzalez, chairwoman of the LAEDA board of directors. “I know our graduates, alumni and friends appreciated hearing him speak and learn more about the “The Three P’s”.

 

At the networking reception held in the “Town Plaza” of the Kroc Center, assembled guests connected over a bountiful display of hors d 'oeuvres.  Sweet treats were provided by Alumni Gourmet Food Stations featuring Couture Confections a specialty cake company owned in part by EDTP graduate, Sonya Jacobs and Afruiti Water Ice a sugar-free and all natural water ice manufacturing company owned by Gisele Spencer another graduate of EDTP.

 

Prior to being introduced to the crowd in Town Plaza, a clip of his show was played on the jumbo screen to a quiet hush.  As the clip ended the crowd began to buzz as Ray Lamboy took the stage to introduce Lemonis.  The buzz turned to a roar as Lemonis took to the stage.

 

Lemonis shared his journey of self invention as a young man and then as an adult as he worked to build his business empire, but being brought back to reality by his adoptive mother.  “At one point I thought I had it all, I 

had a big house and cars and all the trappings, but then I brought my mother home to my newest house and she wasn’t impressed, she was disappointed in me,” said Lemonis.  “She told me that she did not adopt me and bring here from Lebanon and provide me with an education and so on to accumulate material things, she said, “I brought you here to help others, to be a giver not a taker.”  

 

He went on to say, “The wealthiest people in the world, the Warren Buffets, the Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and so on are all givers and they receive so much more back in return.”  Lemonis wrapped up the evenings remarks with a questions and answer period. Graduates and guests had an opportunity to ask questions about the businesses and even tried to “pitch” Lemonis on a few ideas.

 

“I am truly enjoyed learning more about LAEDA and meeting their newest entrepreneurs and alumni.” says Lemonis. “Having an organization like LAEDA available to new entrepreneurs is so important.“ At the end of his remarks, Raymond Lamboy, President & CEO of LAEDA presented Lemonis with a plaque with the title Champion of Entrepreneurship. “In recognition of his commitment to entrepreneurship and his efforts to promote sound business practices while investing in people and their dreams.” read Ray Lamboy.

 

 

EDTP (The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program, LAEDA’s flagship program, provides entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to low to moderate income individuals in the City of Camden and similar communities across South Jersey.  “LAEDA’s mission can be summed up with the proverb, ‘Give a man a fish and feed him for a day or teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime’,” Lamboy says. “LAEDA helps its clients to create a business that will support themselves and their families….in essence LAEDA deals in fishing poles.”  

 

To date, EDTP has trained 887 individuals who have gone on to start 506 businesses resulting in 1,169 jobs.  This year’s graduating class represents forty-five individuals from various backgrounds in numerous businesses. Represented in the Class of 2014 are makeup artists, a taxi company, hair salons, a geriatric wellness and massage service, a stone & granite company and many more. “This graduating class is so diverse in the businesses represented,” says Gabriela Sanchez, EDTP TA Coordinator, “I am so proud of how hard they worked to get started on the path to business ownership.”