Open for Business: Your Guide to a Business Start-Up Flexible

In this eight week flexible class, students will take a business from idea to open for business. Each week, a video lesson will be provided that includes an assignment to be completed and posted to the classroom. Students will respond to weekly discussion questions which help to improve and support classmate ideas and plans.  

Topics included: 
Market research, competitive analysis, competitive advantage, writing a business plan, break-even analysis, business structure, accounting method, market analysis, and growing your business. 

Week One
Video instruction and class discussion: plan your business
Students will complete market research on a business idea of their choice. 
Instructor will respond to each submission.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this business idea? Is the business plan realistic? Does the plan include enough detail?

Week Two
Video instruction and class discussion: competitive analysis
Instructor will respond to each submission.
Students will complete market research on at least three competitors.

Do you have a competitive advantage? If so, what is it?
 
Week Three
Video instruction and class discussion: writing a business plan.
Instructor will respond to each submission.
Students will complete a business plan for their business.
What are the benefits of the products or services offered? Think like an investor. Would you invest in this business why or why not?
 
Week Four
Video instruction and class discussion: break even analysis.
Students will calculate start-up costs for their business and calculate their break even point. 
Instructor will respond to each submission.
What are some potential missing expenses? What do you think is a reasonable price per unit for their product or service?
 
Week Five
Video instruction and class discussion: business structures
Students will choose a business structure and business name
Instructor will respond to each submission.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the business structure chosen? What do you think of the business name? Is it descriptive? Too vague? Can it be used if the business expands and grows?
 
Week Six
Video instruction and class discussion: method of accounting
Students will pick a method of accounting and create a balance sheet
Instructor will respond to each submission.
What are the pros and cons of this accounting method? What obstacles may arise from choosing this method of accounting?
 
Week Seven
Video instruction and class discussion: marketing plan
Students will create a marketing plan
Instructor will respond to each submission.
What target customer does the market plan focus on? What are the goals and measurable results of the plan?

Week Eight
Video instruction and class discussion: grow your business
Students will create a plan for growing their business
Instructor will respond to each submission.
Is this a sustainable growth strategy? What are the advantages of growing this business? What might be some disadvantages of growing the business?