How To Be An Entrepreneur

There is no better day and age to become an entrepreneur than the present.  So many people young and old are taking their dreams and turning them into realities.  Business doesn't have to be scary, uptight, and cold....but instead it's an opportunity to dream big, create a plan, put that plan into action, and watch it grow. 

It's not easy starting a business......trust me, I know!  After finishing my first year as an entrepreneur I wanted to design a class to help students start thinking about what they might want to be and how to create something they love.  So let's talk....the next 10 weeks will look like this:

Week 1:  What characteristics are needed in order to become an entrepreneur?

Week 2:  Students will come up with a business outline / idea. 

Week 3:  It's time to pitch your business, who are you, and what do you stand for?

Week 4:  Product - what does your business produce and how will you solve a problem?

Week 5:  Financial Sheet - Budget .....Learn how to work within a set budget, what do you need to set up your business, and how will you find the funds?

Week 6:  Business Card - It's time to design your business card, something that can be easily handed out to potential clients, simple, elegant, and explains who you are.

Week 7:  Introductory Blog - Students will write a blog entry about their "businesses" - it will focus on the business itself, an introduction of the owner, their story, opinions, the solutions they provide.

Week 8:  Networking - How to get in front of the right people, what mediums to use, and how to make sure your organization's goals align with potential clients or partnerships.

Week 9:  Marketing - We will discuss various methods of marketing, each student will create a mock- up of their idea and present it to the class.  The other "businesses" will have to see if they know what is being produced, if it's conveyed in an effective and concise manner, and if they would follow up to learn more. 

Week 10:  The final Project - Create a guidebook for future entrepreneurs....there is no guidebook or list of rules to follow, which can make the concept of becoming an entrepreneur daunting....What would these new business owners say to future entrepreneurs to help them on their journeys? 

All of the materials needed for the class will be provided for the students.  There will be a certain amount of research the students will have to do each week to complete their assignments and be able to participate in the class. The assignments will require the students to be independent both inside and outside of class.  There will be many class discussions, students will have the opportunity to share their opinions, and learn what it is like to be an entrepreneur for 10 weeks.