Cohort 7 - Schedule
Sept 9 - Oct 30

Welcome Cohort 7: WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE

We are glad you are part of the YWCA Entrepreneurs Cohort 7. The difference between success and failure is a great cohort and things change when everyone on the cohort is equally invested in its overall purpose and goal. As we work together we will find ourselves working faster, finding mistakes more easily, and innovating better. Thank you for being here.

 Week 1- Becoming an Entrepreneur

1.1-Tuesday Sept 9 - 11am-1pm

Welcome To The Entrepreneurial Program

• Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 4 Class Here

• Program overview - 20 mins

• Website Overview- 10 mins

• Introductions - 60 mins

• Understanding The Gig Economy - 10 mins

• Teamwork and Using Digital Skills - 10 mins

• Business Startup Checklist - 10 mins

1.1-Homework (Due Sept 11)

1. Become Familiar With the Digital Skills Page

2. Complete The Entrepreneurial Mindset Survey

3. Complete The Self Employment Checklist Survey

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

1.2-Thursday Sept 11 - 11am-1pm

Validate Your Idea

• Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Class Overview - 10 mins

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• The Golden Circle - Finding Your Why - 30 mins

• Alternative Golden Circle Suggested by Lisa

• Describe Your Startup Idea, complete the Business Idea Development Survey - 30 mins 

• Sample Idea Validation Report

• Introduction To Validate Your Idea - 30 mins

1.2- Homework (Due Sept 16)

1. Write down your Startup Idea Elevator Pitch Using This Form

2. Complete your Business Idea Development Survey

3. Create your Idea Validation Report or Business Validator Using AI

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 2 - The Business Plan

2.0.Week 1 Makeup Class - Monday Sept 15 - 1pm-3pm

2.1-Tuesday Sept 16 - 11am-1pm

Create Your Business Plan

• Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

• Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Class Overview - 10 mins

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Your Business Name - 10 mins

• Your Business Plan Outline - SBA or TRUIC Business Plan Writing Tools - 40 mins

• Introduction to Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) as your Digital Assistant. See the Business Plan Prompt Here - 30 mins

2.1- Homework (Sept 18)

1. Create your business plan outline, (Use the method of your choice)

2. Update your business plan with your business name

3. Update your business plan executive summary with your WHY

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

2.2-Thursday Sept 18 - 11am-1pm

Market Analysis & Competition

Recording of the Cohort1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort2 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort3 Class Here

• Class Overview - 10 mins

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Industry overview, target customers, trends, demand, barriers 

• Your Target Population - Identify  your Customers, Target them and Reach Them - 30 mins

• Market Research Strategies, https://youtu.be/mUlYuYooV5Y  especially the first five minutes

• Market Researching

• Ask for a Market Analysis from your AI Assistant Your Ideal Customer Avatar. Start at minute 6  on this video for the prompt. See the prompt here - 20 mins

• Your Competition - 30 mins
  Direct and Indirect

• Marketing Analysis Worksheet

2.2- Homework (Due Sept 23)

1. Update your business plan with your Market Analysis 

2. Update your business plan with your Competition

3. Complete your SWOT Analyst

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 3 - Products & Services

3.0 - Week 2 Makeup Class - Monday Sept 22 - 1pm - 3pm

3.1-Tuesday Sept 23 - 9am - 11am

Define Your Products & Services

Products & Services PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort1 Class Here

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Recording of the Cohort 4 Class Review & Overview Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Products & services competitive analysis resource: Here 

• Products & Services, Features Versus Benefits - 20 mins

• Follow this Products & Services Competitive Analysis outline to develop your Website Content. -  30 mins

• Analyze your Competition for Websites & Social Media. - 30 mins

3.1- Homework (Due Sept 25)

Products & services competitive analysis resource: Here 

1. Products, Services and Competitors Form

2. Update your business plan with your products & services

3. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

3.2-Thursday Sept 25 - 11am-1pm

Develop Your Website

PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here
Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• The Jobs Theory: What Job is your Website being hired to do?

• Introduction to Google Sites & Other Site Builders - 45 mins

• Website Graphics & Content - 45 mins

3.2- Homework (Due Sept 30)

1. Create or continue working on your website

2. Secure your domain if you need to (optional)

3. Create graphic and written website content

4. Continue Working on your Business Plan

5. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 4 - Sales & Marketing

4.0.Week 3 Makeup Class - Monday Sept 29 - 1pm-3pm

Google Sites - Create a Form Class Here

4.1 Tuesday Sept 30 - 11am-1pm

Marketing Strategies

Week 4.1 PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

Marketing strategies aim to harness the full capabilities of the business to provide the best experience for the customer and thereby drive growth

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Traditional Marketing Strategies in the Digital Age such as print, radio, TV, or direct mail, 

• Digital marketing tools, such as websites, social media, email, or mobile apps.

• Research tools, such as google analytics, google trends, etc.

4.1- Homework (Due Oct 1)

1. Update your business plan with your Marketing Plan

2. Update your business plan with your Competition

3. Continue working on your Website

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

4.2-Thursday Oct 1st - 11am-1pm

Marketing & Sales How-To's

Week 4.2 Sales PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

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Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Primer on Selling

• The Art of Selling With Empathy Simon Sinek

• The New ABC's of Selling, Daniel H. Pink

• Additional Resources Here

• Selling Worksheet

4.2- Homework (Due Oct 7)

1. Continue working on your Business Plan

2. Continue working on your Website

3. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 5 - Present Your Business

5.0.Week 4 Makeup Class - Monday Oct 6 - 1pm-3pm

5.1-Tuesday Oct 7 - 11am-1pm

Business Plan Check In

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Present Your Business Plan- 60 mins

• Business Plan General Discussion - 30 mins

5.1 Homework (Due Oct 14)

1. Marketing Material

2. Update your business plan Marketing Strategy

3. Continue working on your Website

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

5.2-Thursday Oct 9 - 11am-1pm

Operations, Management & Organization, Start Up Cost

Week 5 Day 1 PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

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• Participants Check in - 60 mins

• Starting Cost 

5.2- Homework (Due Oct 14)

1. Marketing Material

2. Update your business plan Operations and Management Section

3. Continue working on your Website

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

5.3-Google Sites - Jump Links & Monetizing Forms

Recording of the Class Here

Week 6 - Financial Planning

6.0. Week 5 Makeup Class - Monday Oct 13- 1pm-3pm

6.1-Tuesday Oct 7 - 11am-1pm

Accounting & Financial Planning

Week 6 PowerPoint

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

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Recording of the Cohort 4 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Excel & Google Sheets Accounting Skills - 30 mins

• Balance Sheet, Income Statement & Cash Flow- 30 mins

• Taking Payments, Tax Forms - 30 mins

6.1- Homework (Due Oct 9)

1. Prepare your Financial Plan

2. Prepare your Budget

3. Continue working on your Website

4. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

6.2-Thursday Oct 9 - 11am-1pm

Fundraising & Crowdsourcing

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Checking Your Credit Score - 20 mins

• Family & Friends Investors - 10 mins

• Crowdsourcing & Angel Investors  - 20 mins

• Small Business Loans, Credit Cards- 20 mins

• Subscription Services, Pre-paid Orders other Loans - 20 mins 

6.2- Homework (Due Oct 14)

1. Update your business plan

2. Continue working on your Website

3. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 7 - Contracts, Permits & Insurance

7.0.Week 6 Makeup Class - Monday Oct 20- 1pm-3pm

7.1-Tuesday Oct 21 - 11am-1pm

Jode Hamilton SBDC Presentation 12pm-1pm

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Business Contracts - 30 mins

• Business Permits & Licenses 30 mins

• Business Insurance & Taxes - 30 mins

7.1- Homework (Due Oct 22)

1. Update your business plan

2. Update your Website

3. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

7.2-Thursday Oct 22 - 11am-1pm

Business Contracts, Permits, Licenses, Taxes, Insurance.

Recording of the Cohort 1 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 2 Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check in - 30 mins

• Business Contracts - 30 mins

• Business Permits & Licenses 30 mins

• Business Insurance & Taxes - 30 mins

7.2- Homework (Due Oct 28th)

1. Obtain any Permit & License Information

2. Obtain a Business Insurance Quote

3. Update your business plan

4. Continue working on your Website

5. Update your Business Startup PDF Checklist

Week 8 - Program Graduation & Next Steps

8.0.Week 7 Makeup Class - Monday Oct 27 - 1pm-3pm

8.1-Tuesday Oct 28- 9am-11am

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT BUSINESS PLAN AND  STARTUP CHECKLIST 

Recording of the Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check in - 60 mins

• Review Business Plan and Startup Checklist.

8.1- Homework (Due Oct 29)

1. Review the Ongoing Support Page of the Website

2.  Complete Filling Out Your Business Startup PDF Checklist
   or Use this Alternative Online Form 

3. Fulfill the deadline for completing your Business Plan and updating and submitting your Checklist

4. Continue updating your Website

8.2-Thursday Oct 29 - 11am-1pm

Program Graduation & Next Steps

Recording of the Class Here

Recording of the Cohort 3 Class Here

• Participants Check In - 30 mins

• Next Steps 30 mins

• Celebration - Virtual Coffee with YWCA staff - 60 mins

8.2- Homework (Due Oct 31st)

1. Review the Ongoing Support Page of the Website

2. Continue working on your Business Plan,  Business Startup Checklist, The Pitch Competition, Your Pitch Deck and Presentation Skills

3. Follow up with the SBDC for personal coaching and mentoring.

4. Check out the SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

5. Continue updating your Website