About the Company

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The National Trade Institute is an online trade school based in Texas. Co-founded by Hector Resendez, the school provides courses in high-demand fields such as Healthcare, Office Development, HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing. The school has helped over 350 students enroll by utilizing the WIOA grant, which covers the tuition for eligible students. This grant has been instrumental in the school's financial success, bringing in over $3 million in two years.

The institute differentiates itself by focusing on online courses, which offer higher profit margins and fewer logistical challenges compared to in-person classes. This approach has allowed the school to operate efficiently and profitably, with a current monthly revenue of $160,000.

Idea Behind Company

Hector's journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was laid off from his job as a VP of a financial services company. After an unsuccessful venture into an insurance franchise, he stumbled upon the idea of opening a trade school through a conversation with a former employee. Inspired by the potential of grants to fund education, Hector saw an opportunity to create a trade school that would help people learn new skills without financial burden.

Hector was particularly intrigued by the WIOA grant, which provides tuition funding for eligible individuals. This grant, available in most states, became the cornerstone of his business model, allowing students to enroll without incurring debt and ensuring a steady stream of revenue for the school.

Creating the Company

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To create the first version of his trade school, Hector did extensive research on the WIOA grant and helped a friend scale his own school by adding online courses. This experience taught him the importance of automation and efficient processes. He implemented CRM systems, lead generation tools, and accounting software, which helped streamline operations and scale the business quickly.

Despite initial challenges, such as disagreements over in-person versus online classes and personal setbacks, Hector persevered. He used his experience in sales and marketing to develop effective outreach strategies, targeting communities that would benefit most from the WIOA grant. His efforts paid off, and the school began generating significant monthly revenue.

Launching the Business

Launching the National Trade Institute required extensive preparation, including obtaining state approvals, licenses, and permits. Hector balanced this work with his mortgage job, dedicating his evenings to setting up the school. Initially, there were disagreements on the number of courses to offer, but they eventually settled on starting with a few key programs.

After months of negotiation and preparation, the school was approved and launched. Hector's sales experience played a crucial role in attracting students, as he made thousands of calls and sent millions of texts to potential partners and students. The school's unique selling points, such as free laptops and job placement assistance, helped it stand out from traditional trade schools.

Earnings

Today, the National Trade Institute is thriving, with a team of eight employees and impressive profit margins. The average county pays about $10,000 per student, with costs primarily consisting of laptops and course materials. This business model has resulted in high profitability and sustainable growth.

The school's focus on underserved communities and partnerships with organizations like transitional living shelters has driven its success. Hector's goal now is to expand his impact by helping other trade school owners scale their businesses and by raising awareness about the WIOA grant. He plans to start a newsletter to share his insights and strategies with a broader audience.