LWRBA sets up Small Business Bootcamp to teach important business skills

When the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance decided to plan its 2025 Small Business Bootcamp, it was fitting it decided to recruit Eric Konovalov to speak at one of the sessions.

First of all, Konovalov, a refugee from the former USSR,  served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years, so he is very familiar with how effective a boot camp can be.

Next, unlike the other speakers, Konovalov's business, The Goal Guide, is focused on helping businesses learn sales, leadership, communication and mindset skills that will help them optimize their potential. He also created Relentless Goal Achievers, a private coaching community for business leaders from around the world.

The boot camp, which is open to LWRBA members and the public, begins July 10 with the first of three sessions — Foundations for Growth. Konovalov joins Wayne Parrish of Rite Technology and Chris Williams of Aginto, in teaching the seminar.

Foundations for Growth will deal with personal branding, networking, and targeted sales outreach. 

The second session July 17 is Scaling Smart, which will be led by LWRBA's Tim Estep, Annemarie Graff of Bank OZK and Amanda Parrish of Fawley Bryant Architecture. The session focuses on assessing a business's readiness to scale, implementing effective systems, and leveraging resources and funding to amplify reach and impact.

The third session July 24 is Protecting Your Progress, which features Henry Decoo of Entech, Kaitlyn Perez of KPC Strategies, and Zachary Schumacher of Brown and Brown. Those speakers will concentrate on mitigating risks to safeguard a business and to ensure long-term success. 

Besides gaining some pearls of business wisdom, Konovalov said those who attend will be "surrounded by like-minded, growth-minded individuals" who will make it an excellent networking opportunity.

"When you start a business, information comes at you like water out of a fire hydrant," Konovalov said. "If you don't know what to do when somebody is ready to buy, your business won't grow."

Konovalov is donating his expertise to the seminar for free when normally business owners hire him.

"There is no such thing as speaking for free," Konovalov said. "And I want to add value to the community. I want to raise awareness. I am out there every day selling. I am not teaching things you what I learned 30 years ago."

Konovalov remembered wisdom that has helped him throughout his business career.

"I was told, 'Go to where you clients are,'" he said. "It came from someone who was way ahead of me in his career. I started looking at the places I was spending time. My clients weren't there. I started hanging out a country clubs. His advice was so profound."

Each of the nine speakers has a few areas of expertise they will discuss with those who attend. For example, Kaitlyn Perez of KPC Strategies is the former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Community Affairs director. She communicated on behalf of the Sheriff's Office during critical incidents.

She will focus on helping businesses and organizations navigate crisis situations.

But she also will offer tips in other practices, such as pitching a business in person, face-to-face.

"Business is about relationships," she said. "It's about listening to people, and listening to what their issues are."

She said one of the best pieces of advice she has received over the years is "define rather than defend."

"Instead of defending yourself, define what kind of company you are," she said.

She said other factors she will address are "Stay in your lane," and "Don't be the loudest person in the room."

Perez said it makes sense that the LWRBA offers such a boot camp.

"We have an awesome blend of smart business people who want each other to succeed," she said. 

Parrish will talk about topics such as "not being a yes man."

"If you are a 'yes man' and you agree all the time with your boss, one of you isn't worth your salary."

She said navigating the business world often means understanding that there is an important place and time to share your voice.

Parrish said it is important to find an environment where you can be "a catalyst of growth."

Another topic Parrish will address is "scaling smart" or how to growth effectively. How to amplify strengths.

While Konovalov has first-hand knowledge of the theme, boot camp, neither Perez or Parrish were in the military. Nevertheless, all three agree there "will be no swearing," during this boot camp.