Camden, NJ- On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, LAEDA hosted the final class of its Entrepreneurship Development Training Program (EDTP) Session 100. The class brought together nine highly motivated and dedicated entrepreneurs, representing a vast variety of industries including ice cream parlors, beauty salons, childcare services, catering services, social, grocery stores, wig and hairpiece stores, janitorial services and beauty salons. 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.
“Today we are here to celebrate the hard work, late hours, celebration of right now and what you are going to do in the future,” Jiao Xu, Program Manager- LAEDA Business Services Center introduces the evening, “We celebrate all of your accomplishments and keep in touch with us and each other because this is your support and networking system as well.
“The difference between a dream and fantasy is to have a plan; you want to contract out your weaknesses and leverage your strengths,” Raymond Lamboy, President & Chief Executive Officer illustrates, “Design the business to match your life and the key is to know where you are and how to transition to the next steps.”
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 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
Raymond Lamboy also explained how business skills are different from one’s skills or talents and that everyone has a narrative so we must set our learning diet now and be a life learner and keep on building upon our skills.
Next the floor opened to LAEDA staff…
● Grab onto your goals and keep moving onto that road
● Take a little bit of something from every class and apply it to your business for a successful business venture
● Keep in touch with LAEDA and each other because a support and networking system are vital
● Take good care of your customers they are the ones that will fill your pockets and keep your doors open
● Always keep learning and keep on moving forward in your business plan
● Treat this like your part-time job and do not put your business plan on the shelve
Next Steps:
Then the LAEDA staff talked about next steps and other programs, services and trainings LAEDA provides and the benefits of being a LAEDA alumni and part of the alumni family: We have training programs, Buy Camden 1st, Funding (IDA Program-there is a waitlist), graduation, networking events, seminars/workshops and counseling. If you want to learn more please consider visiting us on the web at laeda.com.
“Take this business plan and implement it and let’s work on our SMART goals,” Jamila Powell, Program Manager of Women’s Business Center explains, “Continue this process and our goals at LAEDA are to keep you engaged, motivated, moving and staying connected.”
Tonight LAEDA also had a few guest star speakers, alumni Barbara Hall-Bryant and Crystal Lewis from I Say Yes Salon & Spa, LLC (and thank you Angela; Barbara’s mother for coming as well). Our Networking Queens, alumni Barbara Hall-Bryant and Crystal Lewis from I Say Yes Salon & Spa, LLC joined the class to share their experience as business owners and being part of our alumni family since graduating in October 2012 as a part of EDTP Session 62. They opened the room to vital information and shared their valuable experiences to help the entrepreneurs in the class. Also, let’s congratulate them as well because tonight marks their 12 year anniversary of being in business.
Barbara Hall-Bryant and Crystal Lewis filled the room with the following valuable information and much more:
● You need to learn how to do business
● Pick the right people for your team
● If you are not planning or marketing then you do not exist
● Having the right partners makes a difference in the foundation and success of your business
● Learning the business and building relationships are really valuable and two of the most important keys to unlocking the doors of success and opportunities for your business
● Come back for support to LAEDA and keep in touch with them, read their newsletter and take classes
● Plan visibility because if you cannot be found you do not exist and remember brand consistently is vital
● Business has to be structured and study how a franchise runs
● Entrepreneurship is tough, you will have failures, but keep on going and do not give up. Remember failures are steps to keep on going
● Find a great accountant, a lawyer, do your craft and start going to your township meetings to see how they can help your business
LAEDA appreciates the support of its alumni and how they are making a positive difference in the communities; helping and supporting each other.
LAEDA Alumni please note:
You can also join our Facebook Group Page called LAEDA Alumni Connections to foster and grow a community of small businesses, highlight your products and or services and help each other grow in the business world. You can share your achievements, updates, news; promote your upcoming events or new products and or services.
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, which is 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).