Simple Steps for Starting Your Business

This is a 4 module workshop series that will take you through the basics of starting up a business. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves & work with the instructors you'll come away with a good understanding of the specific challenges & opportunities you will face. You will have a financial plan, a marketing plan, and an estimation of the funding you will need to get started.

Workshop #1: Ready to Start? Mon. May 6 - Online - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Myths & Realities of Entrepreneurship - The truth about business ownership

• Do you have what it takes - Assessing your skills & experience

• Know your options: Different types of businesses - A closer look at various ways of starting a business

• Making it legal - The nuts & bolts of launching a new business • Business Plan Basics - Why you need a business plan

Workshop # 2: Great Idea! Mon. May 13 - Online – 6:00 – 8:00 PM

• Refining your business idea - Steps to develop - Fine tune your business concept

• Doing market research - Steps to identify your target audience & learn how they buy

• Knowing your customer • Doing competitive research - How to know what your competitors are up to

Workshop # 3: Marketing Your Business, Mon. May 20 - Online – 6:00 – 8:00 PM

• Branding your business - Steps to creating your brand

• Developing your marketing plan - Crafting a plan to communicate your marketing message

• Marketing your business with social media - What you need to know to use social media effectively

• Pricing your product or service - Learning to properly price your product for business success

Workshop # 4: Revenue & Profit Projections. Funding Sources Mon. June 3 – Online – 6:00 – 8:30 PM

• Financial Planning - Why you need it - How to forecast your sales, costs, profits and assets

• Understanding and using financial statements- 3 primary financial statements you need to know about

• Finding financing