The 2009 edition of LaunchMemphis’ Boot Camp found itself bringing in a large crowd of burgeoning business developers, and filling every seat in the house. A group of 35 Memphis entrepreneurs came together at Emerge Memphis, in downtown, to get expert advice and training on how to initiate or improve their new business.
Boot Camp is an intense, two-session course in entrepreneurship, in which professionals offer advice on all aspects of starting, successfully running, and gaining funding for a new venture. LaunchMemphis put on their first BootCamp in 2008, and brought it back early this year due to popular demand, and thanks to a sponsorship by First Tennessee Bank.
This first session, entitled Building Your Business Plan, focused heavily on the crucial basics of starting and running a business. The morning of presentations featured hard-hitting advice from independent business consultant, Andrea Valenzuela, and Mercury Technologies Co-Founder Marc Diaz. These were followed by sessions in which attendees were able to receive custom tailored feedback, that addressed the issues most vital to their success.
The next session, a week later, was an advanced course that featured more focused advice from experts in business related fields. Enriching Your Business Plan, allowed entrepreneurs to hone their ideas and methods, and receive strong guidance on how to fine tune their approach, and maximize their potential.
Presenters for the second session included:
Chris Allen, Director of Marketing, Mercury Launchpad
Dave Barger, President, LunaWeb
Shelly J. Parkinson, Edward M. Neal, CPA & Associates
Harry Brown, Attorney at Law
Spencer Dillard, Spencer Dillard Consulting
Eric Mathews, Co-Founder Mercury Technology Labs, LLC
Lori Turner, founder of Red Rover, a Sales and Marketing Strategy Firm
Visit LaunchMemphis for updates on future events.