Conference takes place at College of the Canyons

In an increasingly competitive world, demonstrating business viability is critical to obtaining necessary capital for small business growth. According to a 2005 study, two-thirds of new small businesses survive at least two years, and 44 percent survive at least four years.  Thriving in these critical first years has never been more important to the long-term success of a small business.

 

At the October 31, 2006 College of the Canyons Dream and Discover Entrepreneur Conference, Lina Ramos, President of San Diego-based Emerging Growth Enterprise, will talk about strategies to stimulate business growth and secure expansion capital to take a start-up business to a new level. Ramos' proven track record in growth planning, business building and financing high technology, biotechnology and service-based businesses include successful customer acquisition, strategic alliances and grant/equity financing. Prior to founding Emerging Growth Enterprise, Ramos held profit and loss responsibility at the division, category, and products and services levels for Fortune 1000's, including Booz Allen Sales Estimating System, Procter & Gamble and Monsanto.

 

Start-ups, spin-outs and small businesses drive economic development and contribute innovative solutions to unmet market needs said Ramos. A start-up’s transition into rapid growth is critical, stressed Ramos, and that¹s why Emerging Growth Enterprise dedicates its entire practice to advancing successful commercialization of emerging companies.

 

A veteran entrepreneur who successfully led early enterprises through those critical first few years of expansion, Ramos demonstrated results in operations, enterprise growth, and strategic alliances/acquisitions include a $185 million acquisition approval and 28 percent division sales turn-around establishing market leadership for a 105-person spin-out division, which she built and ran; $10 million multi-product launch for franchise expansion; and $25 million equity raise for an emerging San Diego-based software company.  Her presentation at the Entrepreneur Conference will draw upon these experiences as she shares her insights on the topic of business expansion.

 

 According the US Small Business Administration, 550,000 small businesses are started every year.  California is home to 2.6 million small businesses with half the state's employment in small business.  The Dream and Discover Entrepreneur Conference will provide valuable information for entrepreneurs who have a desire to start, expand or develop their business.

 

The conference is sponsored by the College of the Canyons Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, the Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons, and the California Community College Economic and Workforce Development Division. 

 

To learn more about the conference, visit www.canyonsconference.com or call the College of the Canyons Economic Development Division (661) 259-3874.   For more details on Emerging Growth Enterprises, visit www.emergingenterprise.com