LA325- THE LIBERAL ARTS ENTREPRENEUR. Dr. Katharine S. Brooks Mr. Robert Vega

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1 LA325- THE LIBERAL ARTS ENTREPRENEUR Unique Day Time Location #30142 Thursday 3:30-6:30 pm FAC18N Instructors: Dr. Katharine S. Brooks Mr. Robert Vega Office: FAC 18 Phone: Office hours: By appointment only; to set up a time Textbook: TBA COURSE DESCRIPTION First and foremost, this course is designed to help you use your creativity, innovative ideas, and skills to create an entrepreneurial business. By the end of the course you will have a fully developed launch- ready business plan. Whether you choose to immediately embark on your entrepreneurial career is up to you. Secondarily, this course is based on the fundamental belief that entrepreneurship is enhanced by the knowledge gained in a liberal arts curriculum, and the study of liberal arts is highly relevant to the development of your entrepreneurial venture. Throughout the course, you will be asked to draw from the theoretical background of your major to bring your unique perspective to the issue discussed. When the course is completed you will have: Conceptualized and developed a launch- ready business or nonprofit enterprise. Conducted a strategic analysis of your business or nonprofit enterprise. Written a business proposal suitable for sharing with potential investors Completed a marketing proposal to include social media and branding. Created your elevator pitch to present your ideas in a clear and concise manner. Developed a multimedia presentation of your business or nonprofit enterprise. GOALS The primary goals of the course are to: Develop your entrepreneurial potential by applying your strengths, liberal arts education, and life experiences to your entrepreneurial interests. Familiarize you with the essential elements for the successful planning of an entrepreneurial. Provide you with a roadmap for converting your ideas into a business plan. Develop a launch- ready business you can continue after the class is completed. Improve your critical reasoning and communication skills by improving your ability to analyze, articulate, present, and defend your entrepreneurial activities.

2 METHOD OF INSTRUCTION The classes are structured in two segments: the first segment will be a combination lecture/class discussion about the topic of the day. The second segment will be a lab portion where students will actively work on in- class exercises, elements of their project, writing, or presenting to the class. The study of entrepreneurship requires an interactive learning environment that demands a high level of participation and practice from students. You are expected to complete a series of assignments in a timely manner, and to participate actively in class discussions. FUNDING Each project will receive $300 in the form of a one- time scholarship payment. Individuals or teams receiving the funds will prepare a budget which includes how the funds will be spent, and provide receipts for items purchased using the funds. ASSIGNMENTS Many skills will serve you well as you move into entrepreneurial enterprises: creativity, idea generation, innovative spirit, public speaking, clear and concise writing, and the ability to work well with others. The assignments in this course are designed to take your idea from concept to launch- ready in a way that develops and enhances each of these areas, and your grade will be based on your competence in these areas. All assignments are designed to help your think clearly and strategically about all aspects of your entrepreneurial venture. 1. The Liberal Arts Entrepreneur: Personal Entrepreneur Profile (15 Each entrepreneur will develop a personal profile (based on their analysis of strengths, challenges, experience, the life map created in class, and their liberal arts education) to better understand and articulate your entrepreneurial goals and spirit. Once you have this foundation, you ll be ready for the next step: starting your business planning. 2. Report on entrepreneur interview/ shadow experience (10 Each entrepreneur will identify an entrepreneur (preferably in Austin) running a similar enterprise, arrange to meet with that individual for an information interview, and, if possible, spend time at their operation/organization. Each entrepreneur will share a summary of the interview or experience with the class. 3. Marketing Plan (25 Each entrepreneur (or team) will develop a complete marketing plan. Your marketing plan will include strategies and objectives, a SWOT analysis, competitor analysis, audience segmentation, key messaging and marketing components, social media plan, success measurements and implementation schedule. 4. (30 Each entrepreneur (or team) will develop a full business plan. Your business plan will include a summary of the enterprise, description of the company or organization, description of the product or service, marketing plan/analysis (see assignment below), strategy and implementation timeline, management team details and financial plan/budget.

3 5. Business The business presentation represents the course capstone, combining the results of previous assignments as well as the creative and intellectual elements of your business idea. Each entrepreneur (or team) will have 15 minutes to present their business plan to the class. The class will vote (private ballot) on whether they would fund the project. (Note: Grade is not based on voting results feedback is the important element.) Complete details of each assignment will be provided in class. COURSE OUTLINE # Class date Class Topic Lab Activities Assignments due on class date 1 1/19 Introduction to class. Liberal arts majors and None Ethics discussion. Syllabus review. entrepreneurship Class interviews 2 1/26 Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship 3 2/02 Developing your vision and mission. Basic business summary 4 2/9 Part 1: Developing a business plan. 5 2/16 Part 1: Developing a marketing plan; intro to social media 6 2/23 Financial aspects: Budgeting and finding funding (Guest speaker) 7 3/01 Legal, tax, and insurance issues (Guest speaker) 8 3/08 Part 2: Developing a business plan 3/15 Spring Break Strengths assessments Mindsets and major analysis Wandering Map Writing vision/mission statements. Goal setting Business plan worksheet Business landscape analysis SWOT analysis Marketing plan worksheet Elevator pitch Perfect Customer analysis SWOT analysis Competition analysis Money map Money mindsets Basic budgeting TBA Business plan worksheet Results of online personal assessments Personal Entrepreneur Profile due (15 $300 budget request due Entrepreneur interview/ shadowing report due (10 9 3/22 The Business of People: Customers, employees, etc. Networking analysis Creative cohorts analysis Management style Elevator pitches

4 10 3/29 Business operations: how does it all work? 11 4/5 Part 2: Developing a marketing plan: brand management 12 4/12 Public speaking and presentations: how to promote your product and idea Putting it all Marketing plan worksheet. Action plan Time/life management Quarterly Goals for one year. Bring draft of business plan to class for peer review. Marketing Plan Due (25 together: what s next 13 4/19 Final Presentations Business ( /26 Final Presentations Business ( /3 Final Presentations Business (30 GRADING Points are assigned to each assignment. The Grading Scale is: A= ; A- = 90-92; B+= 87-89; B= 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+= 77-79; C= 73-76; C- =70-72; D+= 67-69; D= D- = 60-62; F = 59 or below Assignments are due in class on the due date. Detailed explanations of each assignment or activity will be provided in class. Worksheets handed out in class will be posted on Blackboard. Assignments not turned in on the due date will be considered late, but if turned in within one week of due date will receive 50% credit. Assignments received more than one week beyond due date will receive no credit. Assignment grades are based on team or individual work, according to each assignment s format. Grades based on your team s work and date of submission include: the business plan, marketing plan, and the business presentation. Grades based on your individual work and date of submission include: the personal profile and interview/shadow experience. Attendance is taken via a sign- in sheet: it is your responsibility to sign in. Failure to sign the sheet may mean that your attendance will not be counted. You can miss one class for any

5 reason with no penalty. Additional absences will result in 10 points being deducted from your grade. Emergency absences (beyond the one permitted absence) must be followed up with bona fide proof (i.e., medical excuse from doctor or psychologist). Failure to attend class can seriously affect your final grade. Behavioral Expectations You are expected to: Attend each class- - arrive on time and not leave early. If you cannot meet the class times, withdraw from the class. Complete all assignments and readings. Participate in class discussions as appropriate. Be courteous and respect persons with views that are different from your own. Turn off cell phones, computers, IPods, etc., unless needed for the class. Not engage in behavior that is disruptive to fellow students, instructor, or guest presenters. Students who have a disability that may interfere with learning or performance in this class should speak with the instructor as soon as possible to determine appropriate accommodations, if necessary. You are also advised to visit the SSD Office for assistance. Website: