Week 1: Secrets to becoming a Successful Business Owner
Pros and cons of self-employment, reasons for starting a business.
Week 2: Marketing Mix 101
Different marketing tools and how to use them, elements of advertising and promotions, elevator speech
Week 3: Key Marketing Decisions and Research
Market research, target clients/customers - who are they and how to find them, pricing, identifying the competition and positioning
Week 4: Legal Matters
Businesses licenses and permits, legal structures, intellectual property, hiring independent contractors
Week 5: Cash Flow Projections, Start Up Costs & Sales Projections
Cash flow, sales projections – where to get the numbers, cash flow case study, start up costs
Week 6: Financial Planning 101
Pricing methods/mechanics, taxes for business
Week 7: Financial Planning 102
Understanding money & Budgets – separating personal from business finances; financial documents (income statements, balance sheets); case study
Week 8: Marketing Strategies and E-commerce
Marketing calendar/action plan, hands-on marketing tools.
Week 9: Sound Business Practices: Insurance & Lending
Insurance for small business; preparing for a loan – questions to ask the lender; business ethics
Week 10: Business Analysis and Day to Day Operations – Credit and Record Keeping
SWOT Analysis – important vs. urgent; credit, how to read a credit report & establish good credit; record keeping
Week 11: Lenders and Community Resource Fair/Panel
Lending resources for start-ups, negotiations
Week 12: Business Planning Day
Customer service, the art of selling
Week 13: Graduation
3-5 minute business presentations: a) brief explanation of business; b) power point presentation; c) present/distribute flyers & business cards
