In this five-week activity-based workshop, we will learn how to assess a business idea and will put together an action plan. No need to build a long business plan when a simple, actionable plan is all you need. For a bonus week at the end of the program, you will schedule an individual meeting with the instructor to create your action plan and a list of your next steps to achieving your goals.
Week 1: Map Your Opportunities
Starting a business starts with answering a lot of questions! How do you decide if a business is a fit for you? Will it make enough money? Use your strengths? No worries! In week one, we will explore the parts that make an idea a successful business.
Week 2: Learning about Your Customers
Do you know who your ideal customer is? Learning about your customers lowers your business risk! It also makes your job easier by targeting a small percentage of people that are more likely to be interested in your products. In week two, we’ll spend some time getting to know our customers. Let’s work smarter, not harder.
Week 3: Developing a Lite Marketing Plan
How will potential customers find out about your business? No matter how great your product is, if no one knows about it, you can’t succeed. In week three, we will break down a Marketing Plan into achievable steps towards success.
Week 4: Show Me the Money
Starting a business costs money! Knowing how to calculate your costs can help you strategize when and how to open your business. In week four, we will answer the following: How much will it cost to start your business? How much will it make? How much do you need to bring in to support yourself? We will also explore options for obtaining funding and ideas for cutting your costs.
Week 5: Look Before You Leap
Business owners can’t be strong in all areas. In week five, we will assess our strengths and explore resources to help account for the areas we need to grow or learn. And we’ll dig into understanding more about our industries and our competition.