Bill Strait

William G. Strait, OwnerStrait Management Services8043 S Newport CourtCentennial CO 80112303.694.6364303.947.8744

"We'll go over what it takes to be successful in business, personal characteristics needed to start a business, and what kind of business is best for you," says Bill Strait, owner of Strait Management Services, who has been leading these workshops in the Valley for the past year."We can help advise people about starting a business from scratch, buying an existing business or getting into a franchise.We also address how to figure out where to locate, how to name your business, and how to price your product or service.Some other vital issues we talk about are finding, training and hanging on to good employees, preparing business plans and financing your business.

Strait, a business owner himself who has been consulting with other small businesses since 1986, says he works primarily with start-ups and expanding small businesses, but also helps long-time businesses improve operations and profits as well.He is also the instructor for two new small business certificate courses called "Starting a PROFITable Small Business" and "Running a PROFITable Small Business."These "nuts and bolts" home study courses include a 250-page manual and a set of audiocassette tapes that participants can study on their own time based on an outline and a set of goals.

"After an initial three-hour session, they go off on their own for six to eight weeks.During that time I email them every week to see how they're doing, give them supplemental information and to keep them focused," Strait explains."They are free to call or email me anytime during that time for counsel and guidance.Then we all come back together in a wrap-up session to answer all the questions they might have, and present them with a Certificate of Completion from the Center of the Advancement of Small Business."

But it doesn't stop there.Because Strait and ASU are committed to making sure the budding entrepreneurs and business owners get full value and benefit of their services, he provides consulting services by phone or email during the next 12 months at no extra cost.Strait says he's seen lots of success stories.

"One young man a few years ago, an auto mechanic, wanted to start his own shop," he recalls."He took our courses, and now he has four independent shops and he's still expanding.Another lady came to the course and said 'In the first session, I gained information that saved me $400, more than the fee for the entire course.' Her business went from $450,000 a year to $1.5 million in two years."Statistics show that one-third of new businesses fail in the first six months and 75% of startups shut down within five years.Strait says his graduates do much better than that.With more than 2,000 students he's coached for more than 10 years, the success rate for those who take the courses is much higher than the national average.That makes it all worthwhile for him.

"Seeing a small business or an aspiring small business person make their dream come true, that's what it's all about," he adds."Helping someone achieve a dream, an aspiration, and showing them how to avoid mistakes and getting them where they want to be, that's satisfaction.We are making a difference, and small business is the key to an economic turn around and to business stability in the United States."For more information, call Strait at 602-463-2995, email him at wgstrait@msn.com, or visit his website at http://www.smallbizinfo.org/.

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Bill Strait, Owner, Strait Management Services (2nd Floor Classroom A)

Bill Strait, OwnerStrait Management ServicesBusiness management & operations, business plans,

Bill Strait Strait Management Services