Partners in Entrepreneurial Pathways
1.0: Venture Exploration
MSBB’s Accredited Start-Up Incubator Course
The asynchronous course/workshop series covers the nuts and bolts of small business start-up. Each session will be led by a different guest lecturer who is a subject matter expert in the field. Participants will work through the stages of business planning, leading up to a complete business plan draft as the final project. Small business owners and entrepreneurial enthusiasts from the community will be able to select and audit sessions of their choice.
Enroll for college credit or join individual sessions -for free!
College Credit Option: Complete the series and a final project and receive 3 college credits and Entrepreneurship Digital Badges – for FREE!
Individual Workshop Option: Each session is open to ALL, for FREE. Individuals can choose any one session or multiple sessions to attend.
Option 1
EARN 3 COLLEGE CREDITS FOR FREE
Completion of the 10-week course, homework assignments, and a final project assignment result in 3 college credits!
Registration for college credit will require the submission of 2 secure online forms. The required forms should take approximately 2 minutes each to complete and once they are submitted, we will get to work setting you up in the course, add you to calendar invites, and ensure that you receive the course syllabus and materials.
BOTH of the following forms are required in order to
enroll in Option 1 (college credit):
Form #1
Click here to complete WCCC’s College Course Enrollment Form to gain access to the college’s online learning portal.
Form #2
Click here to register with MaineStreet Business Building to gain access to weekly program information and updates.
Option 2
SELECT INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS
Each individual session, across this program, is open to ALL, also at no cost. Individuals can choose any one session, or multiple sessions, to attend. This creates a rich learning environment—joining students with the local community.
Form #1
Click here to register with MaineStreet Business Building to gain access to weekly program information and updates.
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS
Part 1: Business Basics
#1: 9/18/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Introduction to Self-Employment: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Discover what it truly means to be your own boss. We’ll explore the entrepreneurial mindset, the benefits and challenges of self-employment, and how to decide if this path is right for you.
#2: 9/18/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Best Practices for Startup Success: Learn from the Pros
Dive into the essential practices that successful entrepreneurs swear by. From idea validation to execution, get insider tips on how to avoid common pitfalls and set your business up for success.
#3: 9/25/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Business Building Blocks: Let’s Get Started!
Lay the foundation for your business. This session covers the initial steps of starting a business, including idea generation, market research, and forming your business entity.
#4: 9/25/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Start Up & Lead with Confidence: Management Strategies & Opportunities
Explore various management strategies and find the best fit for your business. Learn how to build a strong team, delegate effectively, and foster a positive work environment.
#5: 10/2/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Value Proposition: What Makes Your Business Unique?
Learn how to articulate what sets your business apart from the competition. This workshop will help you identify and communicate your unique value proposition to potential customers.
#6: 10/2/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Intentional Culture from the Start: Build a Healthy Work Environment
Understand the importance of company culture and how to create a positive and productive work environment from day one. Learn strategies to cultivate a culture that aligns with your business values.
Part 2: Business Strategy
#7: 10/09/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Know Your Ideal Customer: Marketing Plan 101
Develop a comprehensive marketing plan tailored to your target audience. Learn how to conduct market research, identify customer needs, and create effective marketing campaigns.
#8: 10/09/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Mission Clarity & Vision Alignment: Define Your Path
Craft a compelling mission statement and vision for your business. Understand the importance of these guiding principles and how they can shape your business strategy.
#9: 10/16/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Branding Basics: What is Your Business’s Personality?
Discover how to develop a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience. We’ll cover branding basics, including logo design, color schemes, and brand messaging.
#10: 10/16/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
SWOT Analysis: Assess Your Business Landscape
Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Use this powerful tool to make informed strategic decisions.
#11: 10/23/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
All Things Legal: Navigating the Legal Landscape at Startup
Get acquainted with the legal aspects of starting a business. This workshop covers business licenses, permits, zoning laws, and other legal requirements.
#12: 10/23/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
All Things Legal: Hiring Essentials
Learn the legal distinctions between independent contractors and employees. Understand the implications for hiring, taxes, and compliance to ensure you’re following the law.
Part 3: Financial Concepts
#13: 10/30/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Pricing Your Products & Services: Find the Sweet Spot
Master the art of pricing. This session will cover various pricing strategies, how to calculate costs, and how to price your products or services to maximize profitability.
#14: 10/30/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Startup Expenses: Budget for Success
Understand the costs associated with starting a business. Learn how to create a startup budget, manage expenses, and allocate resources effectively.
#15: 11/06/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Cash Flow Management Success: Framework to Know Your Numbers
Gain insights into managing your business’s cash flow. Learn how to track income and expenses, create cash flow projections, and maintain financial stability.
#16: 11/06/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Making Your Business Bankable: Prepare to Attract Investors and Lenders
Discover what it takes to make your business attractive to investors and lenders. Learn how to prepare financial statements, pitch your business, and secure funding.
Part 4: Ready, Set, Start Up!
#17: 11/13/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Startup Automations: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Explore tools and technologies that can automate your business processes. From marketing automation to customer relationship management, learn how to streamline operations and save time.
#18: 11/13/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Pulling it All Together: A Forum for Advice, Tips & Tools
Integrate everything you’ve learned into a cohesive business plan. This session provides practical advice, tools, and resources from business advisors and service providers to help you finalize your plan and prepare for launch.
#19: 11/20/2025, 2:00-3:30 pm
Opportunity Presentations: Networking & Growth
Engage with business advisors and support professionals. This session offers opportunities to share your business ideas and gain feedback, network, and learn about potential growth opportunities.
#20: 11/20/2025, 3:45-5:00 pm
Next Steps: Building Your Action Plan
Develop and fine-tune a clear action plan for the next steps in your entrepreneurial journey. Identify key milestones, set goals, and create a timeline for achieving them.
Enroll for college credit or join individual sessions -for free!
Completion of the entire series and a final portfolio project results in 3 college credits and Entrepreneurship Digital Badges – and is available to you for FREE!
What can you expect after completing Pathways 1.0? You’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of what self-employment entails and utilize that information to make informed decisions.
- Identify the reasoning behind choice of business venture.
- Demonstrate an understanding of what components make up a business plan.
- Demonstrate an understanding of what free business supports for business plans and start-up assistance are available.
- Identify the mission and vision of their business venture.
- Determine what products/services their business will sell.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal structure and tax obligations for their venture.
- Demonstrates an understanding about the management strategies that best suit their venture.
- Perform market research and create a marketing plan for their business.
- Engage with practicing entrepreneurs to gain insight into the small business landscape.
- Accurately define what is needed to finance their business venture.
- Identify their business venture’s financial position at start-up, and at one-year.
- Effectively summarize their business venture through completion of an Executive Summary.
- Engage with business advisors’ feedback, to complete business plan.
- Utilize business support networks for business development assistance.
Facilitation
All course sessions will be facilitated by Denise Cilley, Associate Director of Sunrise County Economic Council or Amanda Smith, Coastal Opportunities Advisor at Sunrise County Economic Council.
Thank you to all who make pathways programs possible!
This course is made possible through partnership with Washington County Community College, funding from Northern Border Regional Commission and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and more than 50 individual business partners and leaders across the State of Maine who join in delivering our entrepreneurial pathways programs!
