`SMALL-BUSINESS BOOT CAMP'; PROGRAM TARGETS AREA ENTREPRENEURS.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Barbara Weg had been in business for herself nearly a decade, but even she learned more than expected when she took the Valley Economic Development Center's Entrepreneurial Training Program last year.

Business at Advanced Powder Coating Inc., a Chatsworth-based metal-finishing services company she started with her brother, Robert, in 1989, was growing rapidly, and Weg wanted to know more about hiring and retaining high-quality workers and collecting money from customers.

So she signed up for the VEDC's program, an intensive 10-week series covering sales, strategy, marketing, finance and other elements integral to running a successful business.

The result? Collections have since increased by 20 percent and turnover is down among the company's staff, which now numbers 27.

``Even though we had a lot of business experience before, I really feel it's a valuable resource for anyone in business,'' Weg said of the program. ``I think any businessperson would be foolish not to utilize (it) as a tool.''

The center is now taking applications for the next 10-week session, slated to begin Oct. 8.

Only half of the 30 spots have been filled to date, said Paul O'Reilly, director of training for the VEDC.

``We think of it as a small-business boot camp,'' O'Reilly said. ``It's a way for small businesses to take a step back, rethink (their) business and focus on taking it to the next level, whatever that may be.''

About 800 people have gone through the program in its five years of existence. Participants have represented a range of businesses from small, home-based companies to larger enterprises employing dozens of people, O'Reilly noted.

Participants are taught everything from developing an idea to working out an effective marketing strategy, from employee management to financial management. Much of the program takes place in a small group setting that encourages one-on-one interaction with consultants covering a host of industries.

The program also goes beyond such basics by, for example, offering brainstorming sessions and group support for participants' psychological benefit. And entrepreneurs learn how to break larger, potentially overwhelming projects into smaller, more manageable components, which O'Reilly said is a key ingredient for success.

``What happens is it frees your mind because you're no longer focused on one huge project - you're focused on one smaller project,'' he said. ``We find it's extremely motivating - they think, Hey, I can do that, and that makes them more successful.''

Overall, graduates of the program have gone on to success, O'Reilly said, adding that the failure rate probably is low.

``The odds are you will improve your business,'' O'Reilly said.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

WHAT: The Entrepreneurial Training Program, a free 10-week workshop covering finance, strategy and everything else a small-business owner needs to know to run a successful company.

SPONSOR: The Valley Economic Development Center.

WHERE: 4717 Van Nuys Blvd., second floor.

WHEN: Orientation sessions scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m.; 10-week program will begin Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant's business must be located in the city of Los Angeles, and the applicant must be an owner or co-owner of the business and hold a valid city business license. The applicant also should be committed to hiring at least one employee within a year of completing the program.

FEE: The program is free, but a $50 refundable deposit is required to hold an applicant's spot. The deposit is refunded upon completion of the program.

INFORMATION: Call the VEDC at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) Barbara Weg, owner of Advanced Powder Coating in Chatsworth, says she learned a lot from the Entrepreneurial Training Program.

(2--Color) Antonio Ibarra sprays a piece of machinery at Advanced Powder Coating, a metal-finishing services company.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News

BOX: PROGRAM AT A GLANCE (See text)