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Start & Grow

Entrepreneurship 101

A practical Business Nous course in the Start & Grow track.

21 sessions149 lessons11 hours of study Written lessonsWorkbook includedCertificate

What you'll learn

  • Laying the Groundwork
  • Wrap-Up
  • What It Takes to Make It
  • Resources to Consider
  • Building On Your Business Idea
  • The Sales Process
  • Sales Metrics
  • Calculating Ratios
  • Business Ownership Options
  • Key Documents to Prepare

Course content

21 sessions · 149 lessons · ~11 hours · first 2 lessons free

▶Part 11 lesson
  • ▶OverviewFree8 min
▶Session Four: Laying the Groundwork7 lessons
  • ▶What Am I Good At?Free2 min
  • ▶What Other Skills Do I Have?2 min
  • ▶What Can I Make Money At?2 min
  • ▶What Problems Exist?4 min
  • ▶Can I make a profit from this product or service?2 min
  • ▶Using a SWOT Analysis2 min
  • ▶How Much Risk Can You Tolerate?3 min
▶Day One Wrap-Up3 lessons
  • ▶Activity2 min
  • ▶Wondermate2 min
  • ▶Reflect on the exercise60 min
▶Session One: Course Overview5 lessons
  • ▶Course Overview2 min
  • ▶Find appropriate resources to help you on your journey2 min
  • ▶All of the above2 min
  • ▶Are lots of people talented at this?2 min
  • ▶It depends on the business2 min
▶Session Two: What It Takes to Make It2 lessons
  • ▶Before you start2 min
  • ▶Entrepreneurs need to be willing to take risks, such as2 min
▶Session Three: Resources to Consider3 lessons
  • ▶Friends and Family2 min
  • ▶Books, Magazines, Industry Publications, and Social Media2 min
  • ▶Mentors, Coaches, and Consultants2 min
▶Session Five: Building On Your Business Idea13 lessons
  • ▶Getting Started2 min
  • ▶Functional and Non-Functional Requirements2 min
  • ▶Makes individual cups of coffee in 14 seconds2 min
  • ▶User Stories3 min
  • ▶Making Connections45 min
  • ▶Who will our competition be?2 min
  • ▶Step Two: Testing2 min
  • ▶A hands-on demonstration of a prototype2 min
  • ▶What is your biggest problem with…?2 min
  • ▶Step Three: Take It All In2 min
  • ▶Your product or service’s features and benefits2 min
  • ▶How it will help the customer2 min
  • ▶Benefits2 min
▶Part One: The Sales Process4 lessons
  • ▶Committed Lead2 min
  • ▶Customer2 min
  • ▶Four weeks after agreement is signed2 min
  • ▶Four and a half to six weeks2 min
▶Part Two: Sales Metrics2 lessons
  • ▶Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly sales estimates2 min
  • ▶Let’s look at an e-commerce company2 min
▶Part Four: Calculating Ratios1 lesson
  • ▶Gross Profit Margin2 min
▶Session Six: Business Ownership Options5 lessons
  • ▶Subsidiary2 min
  • ▶What is a Franchise?2 min
  • ▶Where to Find Franchises and Resources?2 min
  • ▶When exploring franchise opportunities, remember2 min
  • ▶Purchasing an Existing Business15 min
▶Session Seven: Key Documents to Prepare13 lessons
  • ▶Business Plan15 min
  • ▶Why a Business Plan?2 min
  • ▶Other optional and helpful elements can include2 min
  • ▶Executive Summary15 min
  • ▶Pitch Deck30 min
  • ▶Pitch deck: your products and services2 min
  • ▶How It Works15 min
  • ▶Description2 min
  • ▶Introduce yourself2 min
  • ▶State your business name2 min
  • ▶If relevant, include where you operate2 min
  • ▶Make it meaningful and memorable2 min
  • ▶White Papers15 min
▶Session Eight: Gathering Funding21 lessons
  • ▶The Income Statement2 min
  • ▶The income statement equation typically looks like this2 min
  • ▶Sample Income Statement2 min
  • ▶Widget Sales2 min
  • ▶Widget Installation2 min
  • ▶Interest Income2 min
  • ▶Total Revenue2 min
  • ▶Rent2 min
  • ▶Utilities2 min
  • ▶Advertising2 min
  • ▶Wages2 min
  • ▶Total Expenses2 min
  • ▶The Balance Sheet2 min
  • ▶Balance Sheet Equation2 min
  • ▶Cash2 min
  • ▶Unearned revenue2 min
  • ▶Cash Flow Statement2 min
  • ▶Add net income for the period2 min
  • ▶Total Retained Earnings2 min
  • ▶Minus dividends paid2 min
  • ▶Retained earnings2 min
▶Session Nine: Developing Your Product3 lessons
  • ▶Process Overview2 min
  • ▶Engineering Requirements2 min
  • ▶Testing Requirements2 min
▶Session Ten: Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy13 lessons
  • ▶The Purpose of the Plan2 min
  • ▶How can I leverage segmentation?2 min
  • ▶What is the buying process?2 min
  • ▶Access: Can you reach the segment through advertising and then distribution?2 min
  • ▶Defend: Can you defend yourself and stand out from the competition?2 min
  • ▶Childless households2 min
  • ▶Next Steps2 min
  • ▶Stage Three: Analyzing Distribution Channels10 min
  • ▶Price2 min
  • ▶Promotion2 min
  • ▶Stages Five and Six: Implement, Evaluate, Review, and Revise10 min
  • ▶Leveraging Social Media15 min
  • ▶Building Your Sales Force10 min
▶Session Sixteen: Bringing It All Together28 lessons
  • ▶Checklist for Success30 min
  • ▶Entrepreneurial Traits2 min
  • ▶What sales metrics will I need to gather?2 min
  • ▶Intellectual Property2 min
  • ▶Reviewing and revising2 min
  • ▶What will your product/service name(s) be?2 min
  • ▶Entrepreneurship 1012 min
  • ▶How do you think these questions tie into entrepreneurship?2 min
  • ▶What other resources can you think of?2 min
  • ▶Setup costs and royalty fees can be significant2 min
  • ▶Choose a business from the list below2 min
  • ▶Packaging: What design and functional elements will your packaging contain?2 min
  • ▶Recyclable cardboard inserts will protect coffee machine inside box2 min
  • ▶Positioning2 min
  • ▶We are committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability2 min
  • ▶How will you use social media in your business?2 min
  • ▶Marty Neumeier2 min
  • ▶Can you identify the companies or products associated with these taglines?2 min
  • ▶Milton Glaser2 min
  • ▶What other benchmarks might you track?2 min
  • ▶What other ideas do you have for increasing business?2 min
  • ▶I have these resources to help me2 min
  • ▶Recommended Reading List2 min
  • ▶Course Length2 min
  • ▶How many slides does a pitch deck usually contain?2 min
  • ▶Pre-Course Assessment2 min
  • ▶Post-Course Assessment2 min
  • ▶Personal Action Plan2 min
▶Session Eleven: Branding 1015 lessons
  • ▶What is a Brand?2 min
  • ▶A set of feelings and values2 min
  • ▶Why Branding is the Most Important Investment a Company Can Make2 min
  • ▶Developing a Slogan15 min
  • ▶Getting Creative15 min
▶Session Twelve: Setting Up Your Office6 lessons
  • ▶Close to your competition2 min
  • ▶Finding Resources2 min
  • ▶The area and building are zoned for your type of business2 min
  • ▶Your insurance will cover that location2 min
  • ▶However, there can be some disadvantages as well, such as2 min
  • ▶You have your business firmly established first2 min
▶Session Thirteen: Launching the Business7 lessons
  • ▶Getting Off the Ground15 min
  • ▶Pre-Launch2 min
  • ▶Post-Launch2 min
  • ▶Setting Up Your Organizational Chart15 min
  • ▶The new organization chart might look like this2 min
  • ▶Step Three: Recruiting2 min
  • ▶Step Six: Orientation and Onboarding2 min
▶Session Fourteen: Keeping the Business Moving5 lessons
  • ▶Keeping Track of Your Business15 min
  • ▶If you are a product-based company, you should also know2 min
  • ▶Be Social2 min
  • ▶Staying Positive2 min
  • ▶Consider these case studies2 min
▶Session Fifteen: Being an Entrepreneurial Leader2 lessons
  • ▶Identifying the Activities2 min
  • ▶Working It Out2 min

About this course

A practical Business Nous course in the Start & Grow track.

Every lesson is written out in full — this is the complete course, not a summary. You read it, watch the narrated video, and do the exercise against your own business. The workbook is yours to download, print and keep. Finish the lessons and you earn a Business Nous certificate.

Who it's for

Small business owners, managers and ambitious employees who want practical know-how rather than academic theory. No prior study is needed — start where you are and work at your own pace.