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Pathways 1.0 Venture Exploration
Image showing the logos for Washington County Community College and MaineStreet Business Building

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. Business advising workshops and opportunity presentations will be available throughout the course and students 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, providing an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. 

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.

WEEKLY WORKSHOPS

Part 1: Business Basics

#1: 9/19/2024

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.

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.

#2: 9/26/2024

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.

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.

#3: 10/3/2024

New!  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.

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

#4: 10/10/2024

New! 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.

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.

#5: 10/17/2024

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.

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.

#6: 10/24/2024

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.

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

#7: 10/31/2024

New! Pricing Your Products & Services: Find the Sweet Spot

Understand the costs associated with starting a business. Learn how to create a startup budget, manage expenses, and allocate resources effectively.

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.

#8: 11/7/2024

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.

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!

#9: 11/14/2024

New!  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.

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.

#10: 11/21/2024

New! 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.

New! 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.

Interested in free college credit?

The deadline to enroll for college credit through this course has passed.

Fill out this form to be notified when Entrepreneurial Pathways 2.0 launches in the Spring!

 

Image of blank notebook and pen

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. This course is brought to you by Washington County Community College’s Workforce and Professional Development Division, MaineStreet Business Building (a program of Sunrise County Economic Council), and industry and business support network partners.

 

Denise Cilley, SCEC Associate Director

Denise Cilley, MBA

dcilley@sunrisecounty.org

207-259-5103

 

Amanda Smith

Amanda Smith

asmith@sunrisecounty.org

207-259-0755

 

Thank you to all who make pathways programs possible!

This course is made possible through partnership with Washington County Community College, funding from the 2023 Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program and 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, and more than 50 individual business support partners and leaders across the State of Maine who join in delivering our entrepreneurial pathways programs!