One of the unique blessings that the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp afforded was the opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to spend personal time with business leaders with experience — to hear pearls of wisdom from men who have both failed and succeeded in various business ventures. The speakers acted the part of mentors to the attendees by critiquing business plans, passing along fresh ideas, and offering encouraging counsel to those who thronged around them. A number of the speakers visited with men and their families late into the night, long after the formal sessions were done.

Among the points of counsel offered repeatedly was the need for strategic planning; entrepreneurs must “count the cost” before they plunge into a new business endeavor and have a solid gameplan for managing cash flow and projecting return on investment.