FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2003      File #345
Contact: Tux Tuxhorn, Boot Camp Director, (707) 569-0300

'Boot Camp’ Targets Secrets of Entrepreneurship, May 6-8

Many established and emerging businesses find success elusive and raising capital difficult. They find that the secrets of the business world can come at a high price, or may not come to them at all — until now.

The Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics’ Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, in its second year of existence, offers small businesses the secrets of the business world, the tips and guidance they need to survive and directions on the road to success in a three-day course set for May 6-8 in Rohnert Park.

M.L. "Tux" Tuxhorn, a local entrepreneur, is program coordinator.

"The Camp is geared toward existing businesses who want to expand to the next level and also to start-up businesses who are saying, ‘I want to go for it’,'" Tuxhorn says. "It's also geared to people with an idea saying, ‘I know it's going to work, but how is it going to get there?’"

Speakers at the Boot Camp will cover many topics, including raising capital, opportunity recognition, business valuation, preparing the business plan, building a management team, structuring the deal and exit strategy.

The attendees will also receive guidance and advice from successful entrepreneurs, North Bay Angels investors and business professionals at a fraction of the cost of hiring similiar experts.

Tuxhorn says, "I don’t know any other place where an emerging business can get such high quality advice and guidance in a personalized setting."

Included in the list of distinguished speakers are attorney Ron Star, a nationally-recognized expert in deal structuring; Jim Andersen, an expert on business valuation, SSU business professor Armand Gilinsky; David Hehman, founder of Sprina; Gary Leopold, a partner at Pisenti and Brinker, Jean Hackenburg, former CFO of Atari, and many more.

"The first year was very successful," said Gilinsky, who teaches entrepreneurship and founded the program with Tuxhorn. Cynthia Riggs, founder of Making It Big, a successful women’s clothing store, and student of the Boot Camp last year says, "this class was an experience that will resonate for a lifetime."

Another success story is Ari Cortez of Sonoma Cider Mill, who raised $1 million from the North Bay Angels investors a few months after attending last year's Boot Camp.

"With the current state of economy, small businesses can get a leg up on their competition and benefit greatly from the ideas, contacts and tips they receive at the Boot Camp," Tuxhorn says.

Also included in the program is the NOBLE Award Dinner, which honors a person who exemplifies "entrepreneurial excellence."

Tuxhorn started his first business in college and has developed over 25 business ventures including a very successful land development and construction business that has created around 1,000 residential homes.

The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp will be held May 6-8 at the Doubletree Hotel, One Doubletree Drive, Rohnert Park. The cost of the program is $895, which covers the cost of the entire conference, including all meals and course materials. Scholarships are available.

To sign up for the Entrepreneur Boot Camp, or to obtain more information, contact Tux Tuxhorn at (707) 569-0300, e-mail tuxhorn@concentric.net, or visit the the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics website at www.sonoma.edu/programs/epp.