Phase 1: Designing Your Business

The Business Design course guides you through each step in the process of designing your own company– including coming up with the idea, testing and validating the idea, identifying a marketing strategy, and outlining how you will manage the company.

Course Curriculum (16 Lessons)

·       Introduction to Business Design

·       Brainstorming: Why do you want to start a business?

·       Business Idea: What is the problem or opportunity?

·       Customer: Who has the problem?

·       Terminology

·       Solution: How will your solution complete tasks, satisfy customers, and create a bond?

·       Testing: Are customers willing to purchase my solution?

·       Marketing: How will you engage customers?

·       Metrics: How will you track progress?

·       Operations: How will you get the job done?

·       Technology: What critical technology will you need to run the business?

·       Managing Risk: How will you reduce risk of business failure?

·       Business Finances: What are your projected income and expenses?

·       Business Finances: How will you track your income and expenses?

·       Management: What are your guiding philosophies and business strategies?

·       Organization: Who is responsible for achieving specific outcomes?

·       Business Design Course Conclusion

Phase 2: Connecting with Your Lender

The Startup Loan course teaches you which funding sources are best for startup businesses and which ones to bypass. You’ll learn what lenders prefer and how to align yourself with those expectations. And finally, you’ll learn what the loan process entails.

Course Curriculum (14 Lessons)

·       Startup Loan Course Introduction

·       Startup Funding Sources to Bypass

·       Secret Startup Loan Sources

·       Microlenders

·       Community Advantage Lenders

·       Community Development Financial Institutions

·       Understanding What Lenders Want

·       Money Smart

·       Industry Know-How

·       Designing a Well-Thought-Out Business Plan

·       Researching Lenders

·       Common Loan Requirements

·       Summary of the Loan Process

·       Action Items for Startup Loans

·       Startup Loan Course Conclusion

Phase 3: Tailoring Your Business Plan

The Business Planning course takes your idea and puts it down on paper. You’ll learn how to use AI to quickly prepare a business plan tailored for our preferred lenders.

Course Curriculum (29 Lessons)

·       Business Planning Course Introduction

o   Business Canvas vs. Business Plan

·       Business Canvas Overview

o   Intriguing Statement or Question

o   Problem

o   Customer

o   Solution

o   Alternatives

o   Marketing

o   Financial Projections

o   Startup Costs

o   Founder

o   Summary

o   Business Canvas Action Item

·       Business Plan Overview

o   Executive Summary

o   Company Description

o   Industry Analysis

o   Market Analysis

o   Marketing

o   Competitive Analysis

o   Management

o   Organization

o   Operations

o   Technology

o   Financial Projections

o   Loan Request

o   Appendix

o   Business Plan Action Item

·       Business Planning Course Conclusion

Phase 4: Completing the Startup Process

The Startup Process course takes you through everything from setting up your business structure to finding a location and satisfying regulatory requirements.

Course Curriculum (18 Lessons)

·       Startup Process Course Introduction

·       Step 1: Start keeping receipts immediately

·       Step 2: Identify your industry’s association

·       Step 3: Choose an accountant

·       Step 4: Choose an attorney

·       Step 5: Research freelancers and virtual assistants

·       Step 6: Choose a location

·       Step 7: Choose a business structure

·       Step 8: Choose your business name

·       Step 9: Register your business

·       Step 10: Obtain a federal and state identification number

·       Step 11: Obtain a sales tax identification number

·       Step 12: State, federal and local tax filing

·       Step 13: Employee requirements

·       Step 14: Other regulatory requirements

·       Step 15: Research insurance companies

·       Step 16: Research banks

·       Step 17: Setting up QuickBooks

·       Step 18: Record retention and computer backup

·       Startup Process Checklist

·       Startup Process Course Conclusion

Phase 5: Creating a Launch Plan

Phase 5 is when you’ll create your business launch plan.  A business launch is one of the best opportunities to create a buzz around your brand and company. The goal of the launch is to create awareness and build anticipation. You'll learn strategies to promote your business, drum up excitement, and even get media coverage.

Course Curriculum (8 Lessons)

·       Create Awareness and Build Anticipation

·       Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar Launches

·       Soft Launch vs. Big Launch Event

·       Pre-Launch Website Content

·       Training and Assigning Tasks for the Launch

·       Marketing and Advertising

·       Activities for Launch Day

·       Launch Timeline

·       Conclusion