CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW)

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1 CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW) PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: The CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW) is a training course specifically designed to provide its participants with valuable information and training on the essentials of starting and running a successful business. Whether the business is focused on fashion or technology, the business essentials provided in this course are essential. In addition to growth strategy, business plans and marketing; this class will focus on business mindsets and afford participants an opportunity to hear from and converse with successful business owners from a variety of market sectors. PROGRAM DETAIL: Who: Classes will be capped at 20 participants per class. Participants will be selected from all levels of Chamber membership as well as potential new Chamber members. Ideally, the group will consist of a mix of different industries and business sizes. Participants will have to pay $250 for program. No early bird special. Class Composition: Classes may be held on: Weekday evenings (5:30pm to 9:30pm) or Saturday mornings (9am-1pm or 10am-2pm) This is a ten week program; which, will be offered twice a year. Each session will be approximately 3 to 4 hours in duration. Attendance Policy: Two unexcused absences will result in termination from the program. Age Requirements: There are no age requirements or restrictions to participate in this program. Where: Denver, Colorado Metro area.

2 Proposed CBOW Class Schedule: Sept 26 Session 1: Black Business in Retrospect Oct 3 Session 2: Business 101 Oct 10 Break Oct 17 Session 3: Mindset Oct 24 Session 4: All About the Money Oct 31 Break Nov 7 Session 5: The Big Picture Nov 14 Break Nov 21 Session 6: Proper Exposure Nov 28 Thanksgiving Dec 5 Session 7: Networking, Resources, Capital, Certs. Dec 12 Session 8: Angela Williams and Presentation Practice Dec 19 Session 9: Graduation

3 CBOW Class Summaries Each class in the CBCC Business Owner Workshop will have a different focus. The below listing identifies each of the classes in the course along with a brief description. CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW): Survey Before the 1 st class, each student will be asked to complete a questionnaire that will analyzed and presented to each student individually in a future workshop. 1) Black Business in Retrospect This is our opening session. The first half of the class will have an open discussion about the history and relevance of Black Business in America dating from the Reconstruction Era until present day. This discussion is designed to educate our people on our history, discuss the additional challenges the Black community faces economically as well as provide an open and safe environment to build unity and relationships with other Black entrepreneurs. The second half of the class will introduce the ideas for building successful businesses and cover the components of a standard business plan. 1. Give each participant an overview of the history of the Black economy in America. 2. Outline several keys for building a successful business 3. Learn the primary components of a business plan 2) Black Business 101 The Black Business 101 session will begin by covering the steps to being legally recognized as a business in the state of Colorado. We will cover the resources and primary sites that business owners can use to help them in this process. We will also learn how to create a business model. The second half of the class we will be introduced to a Business Attorney who will discuss some key areas it helps to leverage the expertise of an attorney. 1. Learn the basics of starting a business 2. Explore both common and alternative business models 3. Discuss the Legal and Management section of a business plan

4 3) Business Mindsets Developing the sustainability, performance and maturity of one s company is a conscious choice and requires deliberate actions. This session is designed to help develop your entrepreneur mindset to help you drive your business from a startup to sustainability. This is critical, because as a business owner, your business can only grow to the level of your entrepreneurial level (or mindset). 1. Learn the three different stages of the business evolution 2. Understand where your company is, in this business evolution process 3. Become familiar with tools and techniques to advance your company towards the desired state 4) Business Finance: All About the Money The Business Finance session cover basic financial literacy for a small business to include some common financial terms and the 4 basic financial statements every business owner should be familiar with. In the second half of the class we will introduce a Business Accountant who will cover the financial statements that should be in a business plan. We will learn the importance of cash flow to the life of a business. 1. Learn Financial Literacy basics for small businesses 2. Discuss the financial sections of a Business Plan 5) The Big Picture In this session we will begin by discussing a value system that is found amongst other socioeconomic groups, but seemingly lost in the Black community. This discussion will promote solutions to these issues we can implement as new and existing businesses owners into our communities. The second half of this session will begin teaching the role of investors to a business and how to attract them through a formal presentation process. In this section we will also cover the beginning of marketing our businesses to the public by formulating our elevator pitches. 1. Discuss the Black Business Initiative Values (The values we promote within our community) 2. Learn and begin creating our investor pitch

5 6) Proper Exposure The Proper Exposure session will dig deep into our understanding of marketing. We will go past a logo and a website into understanding our markets, trends and how to reach them. We will introduce resources to aid us in our research as well as an expert Marketer in the community. The second half of the class will be learning more specifically what information is needed inside of a business plan with regards to marketing to include the components of a sound marketing plan. 1. Learn how to determine target markets, trends 2. Introduction to marketing research resources 3. Discuss the components of a sound Marketing Plan 7) Networking, Resources, Capital, SBA This session will be an introduction to the many forms of business financing options that are available to business owners. These financing options include: Micro lenders: o Rocky Mountain Micro Financing Institute (RMMFI) Community Development Financial Intuitions (CDFIs): o Accion o Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) SBA loan guarantee programs Traditional banks Crowd Funding/Angels Following the presentations, students will have the opportunity to network with lender representatives and speakers. 8) Legislative Briefing and Presentation practice Join Representative Angela Williams, Chair of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee for the State of Colorado, to gain a better understanding of how business and politics work together. Learn how legislation can affect your business (positively or negatively) and how your advocacy can make a difference. Followed by Presentation practice. 1. Better understand importance of political involvement for your business 2. Identify opportunities to become an advocate now or in the future

6 9) Small Business Certifications and Business Resources Certification Experts will provide the class explain the criteria for obtaining and the benefits of multiple small business certifications, to include: SBA Certifications: Small Business: 8(a), HUBZone, etc. Mountain Plains Supplier Development Council Certification: MWBE City/CDOT Certifications: DBE, SBE We will review the various business tools and resources; to which you will have ongoing access, as a graduate of the CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW) 1. Learn what certifications are, how they can help your business and how to acquire them 2. Learn which agencies and market sectors are interested in which certifications 10) Graduation This is both a time to celebrate the completion of the course as well as an opportunity to present their business to potential investors. As investors are always an option to gain the capital necessary to open a business, the participants will have time to formally and individually present their business to a panel of investors who have expressed interest in investing in startups.

7 Why should you enroll in the CBCC Business Owner Workshop (CBOW)? CBOW participants have a common interest in achieving business success. This CBOW program will be an amazing opportunity to network and learn together with other like-minded, business owner peers in a safe and supportive environment. CBOW will provide access to unique educational and networking experiences designed to support your business and personal development. Below are a list of skills and benefits from successfully completing the CBOW program. Program participants will: 1. Leave with a sound understanding of Black economics 2. Be introduced to key business allies in the community 3. Hear from a selection of local business owners (guest speakers) 4. Have both a business plan and an investor presentation 5. Be connected with mentorship opportunities 6. Receive a free 6 month trial CBCC membership or 6 month extension to current membership 7. Additional benefits forthcoming