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In this session, students will discuss how entrepreneurship is defined, explore their own motivations toward entrepreneurship, and identify personal and professional goals for business ownership. The different types of businesses will be presented with pros/cons of each as well as the basics of business planning. Participants will be exposed to strategies and tools for growing an idea into a potential business by creating solid problem statements.

Session two is where participants learn the value of user discovery for their business problem/solution. They will learn important business terms and phrases and the research approaches used when proving concept for their ideas. This session is full of resources and tools used for confidently moving forward with a business effort.

The third class in this series is full of financial forward information. Participants become with familiar financial methods and models including the function of cashflow, start-up costs, business life cycle, valuation of time and service, return on investment, and financial proforma documents. Funding opportunities including venture capital, loans, grants will be discussed as well as financial management practices.

This session is rich with tried-and-true marketing strategy based on theory with the influx of modern methods that work for today’s consumer. Students will learn about building a solid, recognizable brand, including logo development, that leads to building effective marketing collateral. Participants will learn how to use the marketing mix theory to adjust their efforts and prepare and plan their marketing budget.

Participants in this session will learn how to use traditional and unconventional marketing methods including how to leverage social media and the influencer culture. Alternative strategies will be discussed and applied along with traditional tools like SWOT analysis, niche marketing and identifying the share of the market. Online marketing and e-commerce opportunities will also be explored.

In this session, students will learn about the different methods of accounting for their businesses including best practices for record keeping and projecting income and expenses. The various financial statements will be reviewed. Experts will be available to help participants know what tax requirements exist in their industries and how to know which business structure fits with their model.

This session is packed full of important information for all business stakeholders. Students will learn about licensing and regulatory practices required in their business sectors and how to be sure they are using the best legal strategies. Participants will learn how to file their business with the secretary of state, how to protect intellectual property, the importance of contracts and how to protect a business with proper insurance coverage.

Participants will discover how to build valuable business relationships in this session. With a focus on customer service, the students will identify key areas where they can create unique value for their patrons and learn how to deal with customer issues. The topic of community involvement and philanthropy will be discussed. Students will put together a customer service plan including how to measure satisfaction and utilize customer relationship management systems as a good business practice.

The workshop comes to a close with a celebration of each participant presenting their business idea and plan for moving forward. This culminating event brings together all stakeholders, partners, mentors, and students.

The proven curriculum model of IGNITE© brings together practical and applicable lessons introducing basic business concepts and strategies for developing ideas into profit-producing endeavors. Students will learn these concepts through experiential practices, real-world examples and mentorship from local guest entrepreneurs and professional service providers. 

Innovate – Learn how to take an idea and discover feasible business solutions to design for consumer problems that result in profit opportunity.

Growth – Make plans to launch a new business or develop and expand an existing venture. Whether your ambition is to scale or sustain, create strategy to help achieve goals.

Network – Connect with professional service providers, industry experts, and mentors to help you build your sphere of influence and develop professional relationships leading to success.

Instruction – Get the guidance and learn business basics from qualified business coaches with entrepreneurial experience and proven curriculum to build your business know-how. 

Tools – Gain access to a variety of resources to help you navigate the journey of business ownership with ease and efficiency including relevant learning materials and strategies.

Entrepreneur – Find your own identity as a business leader with the power and confidence to build positive products, services, and solutions to bring value to customers.