Eight small business owners have graduated from an intense retail boot camp designed to give them the tools they need to make their business a success.The Retail Development Programme is the brainchild of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and follows on the heels of the organisation’s Small Business Construction Incubator.Starting in January, participants had to commit to three mornings a week, for nine weeks — taking on an extensive course load of business fundamentals.Course topics included: business fundamentals, customer service, marketing and communications, bookkeeping and legal matters, among other topics.Every three weeks, the eight students were tested on the information they learned. The average score of the class was 88.1.Economy Minister Patrice Minors was at the graduation ceremony to congratulate the students, who said: “With better business acumen and more attention to service, graduates of this programme can gain a stronger position and become more competitive in the retail industry.”Over the nine weeks, the participants heard from representatives from various government departments, including the Office of the Tax Commissioner and Social Insurance as well as local small business experts.The programme was lead by facilitator and main instructor, Amir X, of GinO Productions, who helped developed the curriculum, organise the speakers and provide energy and enthusiasm throughout the term.At the graduation ceremony, Nicole Warren, general manager with Brown & Co, congratulated the participants and imparted some of her own business advice.“You are the new wave of entrepreneurship in Bermuda,” she told the graduates, adding that it takes mental and physical resilience, accountability and embracing competition to create a successful business.She stressed the importance of customer service, telling the graduates to beat the competition at the customer service game.“We should welcome guests into our businesses as if they were making a visit to our homes,” she said. “We own our expectations and the expectations of our clients. Now we must live up to them.”Student and men’s clothing retailer, Anthony Webb, of Choices in Hamilton, said what he learned most from the course was how customer service can separate a good business from a great one.“First and foremost customer service is very important,” he said. “Even in this economy … we want lifelong customers. It goes a long way to being very successful in business.”The BEDC are planning a second round for the Retail Development Programme later this year.