So, you have an idea for a business. Now what? We can help you decide whether and how to proceed. This series of workshops is presented at no charge in conjunction with the San Jose Library, Mountain View Library, Santa Clara City Library system and the Cupertino Library.

Designed by successful entrepreneurs who've been in your busy shoes, this mentor-supported program gives you the structure and support you need to set your sights on the future. Choose as many sessions as you need, though we suggest you attend all 4 sessions to get the most out of this program.

FREE MENTORING

Work with a SCORE Certified Mentor to develop a customized growth plan. Go to www.siliconvalley.score.org to request a mentor. 

Register for this session here:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=4lcobceab&oeidk=a07ehiefxmd6d5eb1b8

You will receive a password protected link to the class with your registration confirmation. Please do not share the link. You need to register for each of the 4 sessions individually. This is a 4 part series.

WORKSHOPS

Feb. 4, Session 1: Startup Basics and Business Concepts: This introductory workshop focuses on the basics of testing a business idea and identifying the key factors that influence startup success. Startup Basics provides an overview of the skills and tools needed when deciding to start a business. In this session, clients learn about the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for their business, and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.

Business Concepts: The second portion of this workshop focuses on the business concept and step-by-step guidance in researching your idea, market, and competition. At the end of the Business Concept workshop segment, the client will be able to identify their target markets, describe their products and services, and collect key competitive information to support their feasibility plan.

Feb 11., Session 2: Marketing Plan. The second workshop provides clients with an introduction to marketing communication methods and tools to maximize your customer reach. The discussion in the Marketing Plan workshop covers pricing strategies, positioning, the difference between features and benefits, and different marketing strategies. At the end of this session, clients will know how to: outline their marketing strategy, test their marketing message, choose the right sales channel, and exercise their marketing strategy.

Feb 18., Session 3: Financial Projections. This workshop uses exercises to help you better understand financial concepts. This session reviews sales and prices, financial risks and rewards, true startup costs, ongoing operating expenses, setting benchmarks for tracking progress and the organization of all your financial information. Using a hands-on approach, you learn how to use our financial model to forecast sales revenue and build solid pro-forma financial forecasts.

Feb. 25 Session 4: Funding Sources. The final workshop offers information on how to finance your small business. In this session, discussions include sources of funds, accounting, the six C's of credit, banking relations, ratio analysis, and monthly preparation and review of financial statements. At the end of the series, you have all of the tools necessary to decide whether or not to launch your small business.

About The Course Instructors: This course is taught by multiple instructors on different occasions. All instructors are experienced professionals, most with 30 years or more of business experience in their own business or senior levels of management. Many are retired executives who have spent their careers in business and know the many facets of a business from sales to operations to cash flow. They are selected to teach because they bring a meaningful background in the course material and can talk about their experiences to better illustrate the topic. 

Please direct questions to workshop@svscore.org