Camden, NJ – April 15, 2026 – A new chapter of entrepreneurial growth has officially begun. LAEDA proudly welcomed twelve driven and aspiring entrepreneurs into Session 105 of the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) this past Wednesday evening. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, this cohort represents a powerful mix of vision, resilience, and commitment to success.
Over the next nine weeks, these entrepreneurs will embark on an intensive journey—gaining the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to build, strengthen, and grow their businesses.
A Powerful Start: Investing in the Journey
The evening opened with an inspiring message from Jamila Powell, Program Director – Women’s Business Center Program Manager, who emphasized the significance of taking that first step:
“By showing up, you’ve already made a powerful decision—to invest in yourself and your future. Over the next nine weeks, we’ll challenge your thinking, strengthen your approach, and help you build something meaningful and sustainable.”
Her message set the tone for a program rooted not just in education—but also in transformation.
Building with Purpose: Leadership Insights
Raymond Lamboy, President & CEO of LAEDA, encouraged participants to reflect deeply on their “why” and the discipline required to succeed:
“Accountability is everything. This program gives you a starting point—but your commitment determines how far you go.”
He underscored the importance of structure and sustainability in business:
“Business systems are like a recipe—they’re critical to achieving consistent results. Your business plan is your roadmap, your set of instructions to keep moving forward.”
Ray Lamboy also challenged participants to think beyond survival and toward long-term stability:
● “What will keep you going when things get difficult?”
● “What are you willing to sacrifice?”
He introduced a key concept—understanding where you are in your entrepreneurial journey:
Side Hustle, Self-Employed, or Business Owner
In addition, perhaps the most powerful question of the night:
“How long can your business operate without you before things fall apart? Our goal is to help you build something that succeeds—with or without your daily presence.”
To keep motivation alive, he encouraged participants to create vision boards:
“Capture your goals visually. When challenges come—and they will—those reminders will help you keep going.”
More Than a Class: A Community of Growth
The EDTP is more than a training program—it is a collaborative ecosystem. Throughout the evening, participants were encouraged to embrace the experience fully:
● Engage with mentors and industry professionals
● Ask questions and challenge assumptions
● Support one another and build lasting relationships
● Take advantage of personalized guidance
At its core, the business plan serves as a roadmap, helping entrepreneurs answer one critical question:
“What am I trying to achieve?”
With accountability as a cornerstone, participants are not just learning—they are actively building.
Meet the Entrepreneurs
Each participant took the floor to share their story—offering a glimpse into the passion behind their ventures. Some are refining operations; others are seeking clarity and direction, while many focus on scaling their impact.
Despite their diverse industries and goals, they share a common thread: the determination to grow, learn, and take action.
Spotlight on Entrepreneurial Success: Gina Reilly Coates
A highlight of the evening was hearing from Gina Reilly Coates, the visionary founder of The Bedroom Bartender and a proud graduate of LAEDA’s – Women’s Business Academy (WBA) Session 104.
Gina’s business is rooted in “The Art of the Mix,” where she transforms cocktail culture into elevated lifestyle products and experiences. The Bedroom Bartender primarily focuses on cocktail-inspired candles, curated gift sets, and sensory lifestyle items designed to bring the essence of a crafted cocktail into everyday spaces. In addition to her product line, Gina also collaborates on creative literary-inspired experiences, including Books & Bevies events, where her mixology artistry paired with curated literary programming to create immersive community gatherings.
Gina spent three years building the foundation of her business independently before meeting Nika and collaborating with the team at Curate Noir. She had been navigating the hustle of pop-ups and small business events for about a year or two when her path began crossing with the LAEDA team at community gatherings. That “active presence” in the neighborhood is what ultimately led her to apply for the nine-week training program.
She describes her experience as transformative:
“I’ve always had many jobs and a creative mind, always trying new ideas. However, at LAEDA, we did not just learn—we built together. We walked through the tools in real-time, got live help, and received the kind of honest feedback you just can’t find anywhere else.”
Through the program, Gina learned to step outside her comfort zone every single day. She refined her story, mastered her pitch, and walked away with a concrete business plan.
“You leave with more than a plan; you leave with a system. Your instructors, the LAEDA team, and your fellow entrepreneurs become your support network. Share your knowledge with each other, ask the hard questions, and connect now. That system is what keeps you going.”
Today, Gina continues to innovate, offering cocktail-inspired candles, curated gift sets, and immersive experiences that bring warmth, creativity, and sophistication into any space. We are so proud to see her business continue to thrive and pour back into the community!
Connect with The Bedroom Bartender:
Are you ready to experience Gina’s unique blend of “The Art of the Mix”? Reach out to her for your next gift set or curated experience:
Website: www.thebedroombartender.com
Phone: (856) 534-1188
Location: Find her curated selections at Curate Noir
A New Journey Begins Session 105
As Session 105 gets underway, participants are stepping into a transformative experience grounded in strategy, collaboration, and growth.
Jamila Powell reinforced the importance of fully engaging in the process:
“Your business plan is your story—take the time to build it thoughtfully. We will challenge your assumptions, and together, we will strengthen your approach. You bring your industry expertise, and we’ll guide you through the process as a team.”
A Program Designed for Growth
LAEDA’s nine (9) week program is offered through its two centers LAEDA Business Services Center and the LAEDA Women’s Business Center with three sessions per year—Spring (EDTP), Fall (EDTP), and Winter (WBA) The Program equips participants with hands-on tools to manage and expand their businesses. Building solid business plans, refining operations and marketing strategies, the curriculum design to empower entrepreneurs at every stage. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com.
Turning Vision into Reality
What is on your vision board? LAEDA helps turn those visions into tangible results. From business training and one-on-one counseling to networking opportunities, LAEDA provides the knowledge, resources, and support entrepreneurs need to succeed. Your journey starts here—explore our training programs and take the next step toward building the business you have envisioned: training programs.