Paul Agosta didn't build his business from scratch, but he has worked long and hard for years to build it into what it is today.
Applied Technology Systems was originally called Lab Corp when Agosta started working there more than two decade ago. At the time it made training programs for K-12 schools. Agosta helped expand it to do the same for more customers, such as industrial firms.
"That created enough work for me to buy it from my predecessor (in 2001)," Agosta says.
The Franklin-based firm and its four employees generate revenue from a variety of of sources. Fifteen percent of the firm's revenue comes from industrial firms, 25 percent from K-12 education, and 60 percent from post-secondary education.
"Everything is skill development," Agosta says. "Everything is developing skills for tomorrow’s workforce. There is a renewed focus on career development."
Agosta expects that trend to continue in the near-term, especially now that major local leaders, such as Gov. Rick Snyder, are emphasizing it.
"We want to be the prominent service provider for skills development," Agosta says. "We're getting there. Our name is pretty well-known, but we still need to go further."
Source: Paul Agosta, owner of Applied Technology Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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