BGAP OBJECTIVES:

  • Facilitate training and business advice for 10-15 aspiring and established business owners
  • Provide 6 learning sessions and 1 preparation session to assist business owners in developing a final business presentation
  • Facilitate learning sessions where participants are introduced to topics and practical information necessary for running the day-to-day operations of a growing business
  • Develop interactive learning sessions where participants hear from and interact with the facilitator who shares practical information on business management and then, from a panel of experienced subject matter experts with various perspectives and different backgrounds
  • Facilitate opportunities for participants for hands on learning, interaction with other participants and interaction with practitioners and subject matter experts
  • Create environments for learning with participants at similar growth points
  • Ensure business owners understand their pricing model, profit margins, monthly expenses and revenue and sales goals
  • Ensure business owners are better prepared to speak with a lender or investor in regard to funding and the scaling of their business
  • Measure the learning of presented information with weekly homework assignments and a final business presentation in week 8
To graduate, Businesses must:
  • Attend and participate in each class
  • Submit weekly homework assignments before the next class
  • Meet with Will Holmes or Rennard Brown each week
  • Meet two times with each of their Law, Accounting and HR mentors
  • Give a Practice Presentation in week 7
  • Give a Final 15-minute presentation in week 8

 

Important Links:

After each class we will send the recording to the group for review. However, attendance is expected in each class. No excuses, please.

8 LEARNING SESSIONS

Week One for Businesses
Thursday, May 19, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In for Businesses 

Topic: Introductions, Program Orientation & Business Challenges
Facilitators: Lucretia Freeman-Buster, Rennard Brown and Will Holmes

During this 3 hour session, we will discuss the goals of the program, expectations and the final presentation. Participants will introduce themselves and share their greatest business challenges. We will discuss common challenges and the importance of the 12 month Cash Flow Projections, which will be the foundation of planning the growth of the business. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week One Homework

Resources:

 

Week Two for Businesses 
Thursday, May 26, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Building a Sustainable Organization’s Infrastructure
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists:  Dr. Rhonda Farrell, Rennard Brown

During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with market research, customer segmentation, infrastructure, technology, planning and coordination of people and processes. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Two Homework

Resources:

 

Week Three for Businesses 
Thursday, June 2, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Leading People & Planning for Growth
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: Dr. Johnetta Thurston, Teddy The Tax Man Prileau, Sahmra Stevenson

During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with effective techniques for assessing the needs of the market, identifying organizational goals and creating win/ win situations with team members to ensure success. We will also discuss pricing, operational strategy, basic project management and allocation of time, people and resources. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Three Homework

Resources:

 

Week Four for Businesses 
Thursday, June 9, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Marketing & Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: Jeanette Kruzberg, Sean Sutherland, Meshelle Howard

During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with effective market research, identifying target customers, lead generation, business development, proposal writing, strategic partnerships and relationship building. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of representatives from government procurement offices and local anchor institutions who want to do business with smaller companies. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. After the panel, we will have a discussion on social media strategy and management. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Four Homework

Resources:

 

Week Five for Businesses 
Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: Catherine Wright, Dr. Johnetta Thurston, Veronica Welsh Vu, John L. Green,

During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with better compliance and internal controls. We will examine best practices in Human Resources, Accounting, Contracts, Taxes and Insurance. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel consisting of a HR consultant, accountant, attorney and a financial advisor. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Five Homework

Resources:

 

Week Six for Businesses 
Thursday, June 23, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Preparing for Capital & Essential Financial Documentation
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: James Peterson, Janice Walker-Emeogo, Local Charles County Banker, Catherine Wright

During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with accessing capital from various sources and preparing the financial documentation and narratives necessary to attract funding. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of lenders, investors and accountants who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss the final presentation. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Six Homework Part 1

Week Six Homework Part 2:

Business Owners must complete the homework questionnaire (part 1) and then schedule a one-on-one with Will Holmes to discuss their final presentation. You should be ready to present after our call.  Use this link for a 30 minute call.

Resources:

 

Week Seven for Businesses
Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Practice Presentations
Facilitators: Will Holmes

During this 3 hour session, the Facilitator will review the final presentation template and take questions from the Participants. Then the participants will present their draft slides for feedback from the Facilitator.

Final Presentation Template

 

Week Eight for Businesses
Thursday, July 7, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Final Presentations and Graduation
Facilitators: Lucretia Freeman- Buster, Rennard Brown and Will Holmes

During our final 3 hour session, we will bring together all the Participants for final presentations. Due the number of Participants and limited time, we will separate into smaller groups in virtual breakout rooms to hear the presentations. Participants can cheer on the presenters and ask questions about their growth plans. After the presentations are complete, we will have a graduation ceremony. Certificates of Completion will be sent digitally to all Participants who completed the program.

Final Presentation Template