CLASS SCHEDULE

Our class schedule is flexible to accommodate your busy schedule. We offer three locations within the Inland Empire area.  The curriculum is the same for each location each week and each classs runs for ten (10) consecutive weeks. So conceivably if you can’t attend your regularly scheduled meeting you can sit in on another location and not miss the subject matter for that week.

COURSE-DESCRIPTIONS

The “Entrepreneurship Training” seeks to accomplish two major objectives. First, we want to foster excellence in entrepreneurship by preparing aspiring business people with the basic skills necessary to succeed in business development. Students will explore a variety of topics including how to identify business opportunities, the costs of operating a business, forms of business ownership, marketing and financing. Students will develop their individual business ideas throughout the course with the assistance of mentors and coaches and ultimately prepare a comprehensive business plan. The text material for the course was developed by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE).

Second, students will go through an extensive financial literacy program. There entrepreneurs learn how to develop individual financial plans and budgets. Other topics include investing, using credit wisely, securing your money in safe financial instruments and protecting your money and your family’s future with insurance plans. This component of the program is conducted by our partner the Inland Empire Credit Union of Pomona. The text material used for this phase of the training was developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).

ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING MODEL

Class Lectures and Group Discussions

Class discussions of text material is always interesting and engaging. Students interact with the facilitator on a variety of course topics, and have the opportunity to have their questions explained in simple everyday easy to understand language. Students are encouraged to participate as these discussions often relate to real world examples as specific student project or business interests.

In-Class Assignments and Homework Projects

Workbook assignments reinforce class lectures and discussions. This hands-on practice builds students understanding of the class material. These exercises piece together the big picture of starting and operating a small business enterprise.

In-Class Coaching and tutoring

In partnership with Cal Poly’s School of Business, senior level students will work with entrepreneurship trainees on a one-to-one basis. Helping them to understand class assignments and working closely with trainees as they develop business ideas and plans.

Mentoring and Support

In partnership with a team of professionals with extensive business experience in human resources, banking, and technology attend each class and participate in the discussions. Their invaluable input enhances the discussions and learning experience for the entrepreneurship trainee.

Guest Lecturers and Presenters

The class includes interesting guest speakers presenting on a variety of subjects including taxes, accounting practices, marketing and technology.

Hands-on demonstrations and technology training

The course can include a one-day hands-on accounting practices seminar and hands-on instruction on QuickBooks accounting software. Students learn how to setup an automated bookkeeping system.

Business Panel Discussion

There is one professional panel discussion where specialist in the fields of small business financing, patent and trade practices and business networking are invited to address the group in an interactive exchange of information and ideas. This is a very important element of the program.

The syllabus reflects carefully thought out curriculum spanning over ten weeks and culminating with the development of  professional business plan and PowerPoint presentation. Each week a new topic is introduced with information that will help the trainee build their business plan using Center’s business plan template. In addition to professional instruction each class is supported by minimum to two additional facilitators/mentors working with trainees in smaller breakout group sessions/

COURSE MATERIALS

This 50-chapter, 10 unit, hard-bound, full-color textbook covers essential business and entrepreneurship concepts about how to start and run a small business enterprise. Comprised of three modules (Basic: Starting Your Business; Intermediate: Operating Your business; and, Advanced: What You Need to Know to Grow), it is ideal all adults regardless of education. New chapters added: Principles of Successful Selling, Customer Service, International Opportunities, Investing in a Secure Future, and Exit Strategies.

BUSINESS PLAN

The ultimate goal of the program is the preparation and presentation of individual business plans. The course instruction, class assignments, coaching and mentoring support the development of comprehensive business plans. Students prepare the plans based on the premise that it can be used when seeking financing and investment partners.

CLASS RESOURCES DVD

Each student will receive their own course DVD with all lessons, business plan template, business plan PowerPoint template and supplemental files, such as Excel spreadsheets, resource links and more. This is a valuable tool the trainee will be able to refer back to for years to come.