Fundamentals of Starting or Growing a Business

• Weekly online course offers five sessions entrepreneurs through the process of starting a business
• Topics include determining the feasibility of an idea, marketing and sales, and creating a financial plan
• Participants can attend individual courses or all five sessions

This five-part series, sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank, guides aspiring entrepreneurs through the process of conceiving, planning, and starting a business. Participants are invited to attend each course or attend individual events.

• Week 1: Determine the feasibility of your product or service, your personal vision and strengths, who your competitors are, your target audience, and how you will communicate to it
• Week 2: Focuses on who your customers are, your company’s SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and how you can position your company to appeal to customers. The session will also delve into identifying competition and trends that affect your product or service
• Week 3: Basics of marketing and sales, including how to brand your company, create compelling messaging, and develop successful sales tactics
• Week 4: The web presence necessary to run a successful business, including website development, digital marketing, e-commerce, Google My Business, and social media
• Week 5: Managing your finances, including startup and operating costs, estimating costs, and creating a financial plan