Entrepreneur Academy Racking Up Successes

Ventura County’s Entrepreneur Academy, getting ready to launch a new round of free evening classes for operators of small businesses, has issued an impressive progress report on its graduates’ accomplishments.

Highlights include a $3-million contract and 1,000% growth in export income at Westlake Village-based Pollard Dental Products Inc. The company’s president, Vic Pollard, credits the training he received at the academy for much of his recent progress.

Here are other success stories from the academy, whose next lecture series starts March 6 in Ventura and March 12 in Moorpark:

* Roy Torrance, owner of C&T; Auto Supply in Oxnard, says sales have increased 30% and he’s hired 15 new employees, thanks to a business plan he developed while attending the classes.

Torrance says he used the plan to help obtain a new $200,000 line of credit, which enabled him to double his floor space and increase his inventory to $900,000 worth of merchandise.

* Gold Coast Transportation Services, an Oxnard freight concern, was able to add 30 employees and increase its profits by 32%.

John Sylvia, a top Gold Coast official, offers fellow managers the following advice, based on what he learned at the academy: “Get a business plan and follow it!”

Ron Komers, Ventura County’s director of personnel administration and work force development, says more than 300 business owners have graduated from the academy since it started a year ago. In addition to the county, sponsors include the cities of Port Hueneme, Simi Valley and Ventura and the nonprofit Oxnard Economic Development Corp.

The academy’s lecturers are experienced in such matters as strategic planning, finance, marketing, organization, operations and personnel issues.

Thus far, academy graduates have reported revenue increases averaging 16%, Komers said. Many have increased their profit margins, purchased new equipment or opened new stores, he added.

The program consists of 10 evening classes held once a week, plus two Saturday workshops. Students must pay a $100 deposit, which is refunded upon completion of the course.

In Ventura, academy classes will be held in the Services Building of the County Government Center. Classes in Moorpark will be held at the Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave.

For enrollment information, call 654-2622.