Colonie - Twenty Capital Region entrepreneurs have now built the foundation they need to expand their businesses following their successful completion of the Capital Region Chamber's 60-hour Entrepreneur Boot Camp training course, specially designed for starting and growing local businesses.

"This was a lively and determined group of entrepreneurs," said Entrepreneurship Manager Janet Tanguay.  "They were a group who did not accept the status quo. They were inquisitive, curious, creative and resourceful," added Tanguay. "They're change-makers who overcame their own challenges to envision possibilities."

The entrepreneurs graduated from the Chamber's fall boot camp course during a ceremony held at the Regional Chamber's Albany office. 

During the event, Sunmark Federal Credit Union presented a check to Stephanie Dautel of Estefi Jewellery for $1,500 for winning the program's business plan competition.  Ms. Dautel was referred to the program by the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce. 

Second place went to Jeff McCauley of The Dutch Udder, an artisanal ice cream company, who won a one-year Capital Region Chamber membership. Mr. McCauley won a free seat in the course in a business plan competition through All Over Albany. He is also a military veteran. The Regional Chamber opened a Veterans Business Assistance Center this to help military veterans start new businesses. Noble Gas Solutions is offering scholarships for military veterans to attend the Chamber's Spring 2016 Entrepreneur Boot Camp program.

The third place prize was a Marketing Package offered by R&D Media of a logo, web design or graphic design and by Repeat Business Systems of a printer and went to Sheilah Sable of Call Sheilah!, a personal concierge.

The fourth place prize winner was Jayson Glover of JTG Home Improvements, a general contractor. Mr. Glover won an Education Package that included two computer courses from Microknowledge as well as a course from Excelsior College.

Mark Eagan, CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, was Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Donna Williams of Field Goods was the Keynote speaker. Janet Tanguay from the Regional Chamber and Jay Singh from Sunmark FCU handed out certificates and prizes accompanied by Rena Graf Music.

The 10-week course, taught through the Chamber's Entrepreneur Boot Camp Training Course, educated entrepreneurs on the critical skills necessary for business growth and expansion. The classes blended classroom and individual training with lectures by prominent business experts. Special guest lecturers covered topics including branding, advertising, legal issues, market research, demographics, sales, financing, leadership, diversity, social media, presentations skills, accounting and more. 

Fall 2015 Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduates include:

Cheryl Bielkiewicz, Capital District Homeowner Referral

Tara Burnham, ThoughtLeaderBoard.com

Kris Coleman, Upstate Studios

Eric Daigneault, Daigneault Designs

Stephanie Dautel, Estefi Jewellery

Maxine Ford, Core Inspirational Consulting

Jayson Glover, JTG Home Improvements

Corine Jubrey, Helderberg Concrete

Laura LaFontaine, Mindful Club

Clay LaPorte, Emotional Peace

Joelle Lydon, Love Coach

Don Matthews, A2Z Services

Jeff McCauley, The Dutch Udder

Amy Messersmith, Dad's Basement

Joe Montimurro, Muddy Paws Day Care

Theresa Pittman, Pittman Wound Care

Margaret Reinold, M-Our Gal Friday

Sheilah Sable, Call Shielah!

Kaylee Sherwin, Kay's Sip n Play Café

Mark Weekes, FARE

Entrepreneur Boot Camp is supported by the Capital Region Chamber and the Empire State Development Corporation's Entrepreneurial Assistance Program.  Sunmark FCU is the major sponsor.  For more information about the program, contact Entrepreneurship Manager Janet Tanguay, at 518.431.1430 or by email at jtanguay@capitalregionchamber.com.

 "Dautel": Jay Singh (left), Director of Business Services for Sunmark Federal Credit Union, and Mark Eagan (right), CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, present a check to Stephanie Dautel ofEstefi Jewellery for $1,500 for winning the program's business plan competition.

 "Graduates": Twenty (20) Capital Region entrepreneurs graduated from the Capital Region Chamber's 60-hour Entrepreneur Boot Camp training course, specially designed for starting and growing local businesses.