Recently...
Academy of Entrepreneurial Excellence
The BID again provided two scholarships ($558 value) to attend the Academy for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The Academy is designed to assist small business owners move their business to the next level. Some of the topics covered include business planning, time management, accounting, sales and customer service. The workshops are held at Westchester Community College for 15 consecutive weeks on Thursday nights from 6-9. In the past, three BID business owners completed the program and felt it has been great for business. The Academy is also sponsored by the Westchester Chamber of Commerce. The most current winners, John Corretti of Pretty Petals Plus and Tom McCaffrey of Ultimate Physical Therapy, were selected by lottery.
Tom said, "I
learned that there's a lot more to starting a business than what I initially
thought when I first opened about a year ago". Thank god I
took the course before it was too late". He also informed me that the course
he's taking consists of some lectures and weekly phone conversations with his
personal business coach. The personal business coach "helps me focus and not lose sight of the
course by assigning homework that I find beneficial."
Among the attendees and graduates pictured on the right are: Kathleen Gunn, Exec.Director of the BID, John Corretti (Pretty Petals Plus) and Marsha Gordon (Westchester Business Council).
Fall 2002, the White Plains BID awarded scholarships to two students, Oscar
Leon of La Herradura Deli, and Manny Polloni of American Terrain, to attend
the Academy of Entrepreneurial Excellence. Another White Plains business
owner, Esma Harvey of Fara Bridal Shoppe, also attended the Academy. The Academy
ran from September through December, 2002 and taught owners how to improve
and grow their businesses with instruction in financial management, human
resource management and marketing.
Among the most valuable of the lessons were those of time management and the
importance of working on the business and not "in the business." The Academy
stressed prudent financial management and encouraged ongoing communications
with employees.
The participants offered some feedback on the Academy:
Although skeptical at first, Manny came to appreciate the value of the course
and the perspective and insight that his business coach gave him while evaluating
his business. Since taking the course, Manny has implemented new systems and
has moved his business toward a franchise model thus freeing up his time for
planning and setting long-range goals. He found the class to be action-oriented
and his business coach encouraged him to make important decisions sooner rather
than later.
Esma learned to clearly set and define the vision, mission, objectives, strategies
and plans for Fara Bridal Shoppe. She also gained new insights into the importance
of proper insurance and the effective utilization of technology.
2001, Gus Manessis of Splendid Coffee Shop, was the recipient of the
BID's scholarship. According to Manessis, "the Academy emphasized the importance
of working 'on the business and not in the business.' The instructors, proven
business successes, were a great resource of information for creating, developing,
operating, and growing a business. I recommend the Academy to anyone in business
and encourage business owners within the BID to take advantage of this unique
scholarship opportunity."
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