Mariana Hinojosa, the Assistant Program Manager for LAEDA Women Business Center,  capped off the series with the Credit Management for Entrepreneurs workshop, which oriented participants on the credit process, how their score is calculated and strategies to start improving their credit today. “Credit is essential in several areas of your personal and business, it’s like the air we breathe to stay alive.  Without good credit you won’t be able to effectively purchase supplies and materials, lease a space or access capital,” Ms. Hinojosa explained to the participants.

“The Quick Start Series was an excellent way to reconnect in-person with the Bridgeton community after a long pause due to COVID,” said Stephanie Gonzalez, the City of Bridgeton UEZ Coordinator. Ms. Gonzalez had an opportunity to present resources The City of Bridgeton offers to small business owners and share the small celebration the class had for completing the 5-week course.When addressing the participants, Ms. Gonzalez congratulated the entrepreneurs on the pursuit of knowledge. Ms. Hinojosa reminded the participants that, “this is just the beginning, you must take what you learned here and put it into practice and LAEDA will be here to help you.” 

We had a great mix of startups and existing business owners participate in the series. Ms. Hinojosa explains that there was a  great cross section of businesses,including writers, photographers, clothing businesses, commercial waste removal, decoration services, fitness services, and retail.

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.  

For more information on LAEDA and its other business education programming visit www.laeda.com