Many individuals are pursuing their dream of becoming solo entrepreneurs and starting their own businesses. The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor one such group of individuals when it holds the spring graduation for its Entrepreneurial Boot Camp. Fifteen entrepreneurs will participate in the ceremony.
The businesses this year include: a whole foods grocery store, a physical therapist, a wine store, a landscaper, a canine day care center, a café, a vintage apron business, a realtor, a used bookstore, a cosmetologist, a filmmaker, a disc jockey, a baker, a carpenter and an editor.
Sunmark Federal Credit Union will award a $1,000 cash grant to the grand prize winner; in addition, the grand prize winner will receive a complimentary one-year Chamber membership. Second prize is five hours of consulting time and a $250 grant from New Directions Consulting. Repeat Business Systems will present the third prize of a Ricoh color printer and computer courses from MicroKnowledge.
Anne Saile of The Saile Group LLC and author of “Don’t Kiss On the Lips & Other Networking Tips” will be the keynote speaker. Albany County Executive Michael Breslin will also be in attendance.
“Passion, confidence and the ability to take risks are just some of the traits that the current Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduates possess,” said Janet Tanguay, the Chamber’s entrepreneurship manager. “This group fully intends to keep moving forward by financing through business loans, purchasing real estate and expanding employment in the region.”
The 12-week Entrepreneurial Boot Camp course has educated entrepreneurs on the critical skills necessary for business success. The classes have blended classroom and individual training with lectures by prominent business experts, followed by question-and-answer sessions. Special guest lecturers have covered such topics as: market research and marketing, media buying, branding, e-commerce, social networking, Minority & Women Business Enterprise certification, customer service, legal issues, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and accounting. Guidance for improving sales and obtaining financing has also been provided.
The Entrepreneur Boot Camp course is sponsored by the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber and Sunmark Federal Credit Union and is supported by the Empire State Development Corporation’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program.
Members of the media are welcome to attend.
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