SEMINOLE – It started two years ago as a suggestion from Ed Lurie of Seminole and has since developed into a key tool for current and future business owners.
The Practical Entrepreneurial Academy, a 15-week course on how to run a successful business, is the result of a joint project by the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and St. Petersburg College.
Less than a year old, the academy has 20 graduates and will begin its third session Tuesday, May 5, at the SPC Seminole campus.
Classes meet weekly for 3 1/2 hours with a strong focus on academics to help current business owners improve productivity and prepare new business owners for what they can expect. The cost is $402, which includes three textbooks and other materials.
“If you have a dream (to own a business), you owe it to yourself to give it a chance,” said Gretchen Cain, business assistance specialist and assistant executive director of the Seminole Chamber. “There’s no time like the present. It’s not going to be easy (to launch a new business) but if it’s your dream you need to give it a shot.”
The Academy concept was born about five years ago when Lurie’s son, Michael Lurie, owner of Seminole-based Oakhurst Technologies, graduated from college with a degree in computer science and quickly discovered starting a business is much more difficult than it looks.
That’s when his father suggested taking an entrepreneurial course offered by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Then, two years ago, Ed Lurie, came to Seminole chamber officials and suggested a similar program.
Chamber executive director Jimmy Johnson and Cain agreed. A year ago it was launched.
Cain, George Kripner, director of corporate and foundation relations, SPC Foundation; and Tina O’Daniels, the former director of corporate training at SPC; redesigned the St. Petersburg Chamber’s course and compared it to other academic programs across the country.
“We tweaked it to gear it more toward the small business person,” said Cain. “We wanted it to be practical. You don’t have to have a degree or be a professional to benefit from it.”
Nicole Sonbermann, owner of Window Film, took the course to gain additional knowledge for an established business.
“I found it extremely beneficial,” she said. “I became an LLC as a result and changed some of my accounting practices. I put a lot into it and got a lot out of it. I can’t say enough good about it.”
Vince Palmer, owner of SMIT Solutions, a proactive computer management company in Seminole, launched his business two months after graduating in August from the Academy’s first session.
“It taught me a lot,” Palmer said. “I knew a little about putting together a business plan but it taught me how to put it all together. The course really got me ready to step into an entrepreneurial role.”
The course is taught by Eric Paul Engel, the owner of Ketchcom Development, a St. Petersburg professional and organizational communication development practice. Engel is assisted by four subject matter experts – accountant Richard Schneider, human resources practitioner Christy Hicks of Paychex, attorney Tim Papp, and Michael Lurie, who specializes in computer technology.
“It’s nice to build something and see it play out to what it could be,” said Engel. “It’s the relationships we build in the classroom that distinguish this course from others like it.”
The class is very academic and includes a lot of out-of-class reading. For that reason, some students drop out.
“People get here and don’t understand there’s going to be reading and preparation for the next class, as well as a class project,” said Cain. “We’ve had some women join the class to find a man. So on the first night we lose some.”
As an added bonus, each student has a personal mentor who is already in business in the area. The mentor answers any questions students may have and provides support.
Nancy Giles, director of business relations at PARC, has served as a mentor from the start and wants to continue in that capacity.
“My whole background is in business and owning businesses, and I’ve always had an interest in helping people start businesses,” said Giles. “So when the opportunity came up to do this, I jumped at the chance. It’s been a very rewarding experience.”
Dan Berard, manager of Uncle Bob’s Storage, is also a mentor and said the experience is gratifying.
“I’m mentoring but I’m learning things,” he said. “I’m finding it educational. Both sides benefit.”
Berard said the academy is a good thing for the chamber and the community because it helps to develop new businesses.
“Hopefully, over the long-term, it will be a real benefit to the city,” he said.
For further information on the Academy, call Cain at 392-3245.
Correction: Changed marketing firm to professional and organizational communication development practice.
