In Creating a Plan of Action – Business Plan I, participants were oriented on the importance of a business plan to starting or expanding a business.  “People will spend more time planning a vacation, than they would planning how to invest their hard earned savings into a business” said Ray Lamboy, President & CEO of LAEDA, “Starting or operating a business without a business plan is like driving at night without headlights.  You can’t see where you’re going or whether you’re driving off a cliff or driving down a safe highway.

Gabriela Sanchez, the lead instructor for the series, guided the participants through the sections of the business plan.  During the Products & Services section she explained, “Consumers drive their purchasing decisions on the benefits they will receive from a product or service, not on its features.  Have you ever seen a commercial about a sports car that focuses in on the size of the tires, the weight of the car?  No, the commercial focuses in on the prestige you will have from owning the car.   The commercial is filled with images of sex appeal, speed, status, power, a pretty woman looking over at the person driving the car….”.

Ms. Sanchez, invites all Latinos who own an existing business or who wish to start one to attend the series, which will be hosted in Bridgeton, NJ at the Ashley McCormick Arts Center at 40 E. Commerce Street.  The series will continues on  April 2, April 9 and April 16.  She further explained that the series is free but interested individuals must register by calling 856-338-1177.

The EDTP Quick Start Series is a series of 5 workshops; ABC’s of Starting a Small Business, Creating a Plan of Action – Business Planning I & II, Getting the Word Out – Marketing 101 and Credit Management for Entrepreneurs.  All the workshops in the series are taught in Spanish with all materials in the Spanish language.