Objectives:

  • Facilitate training and business advice for 10 to 15 aspiring and established business owners
  • Provide 6 learning sessions and one practice session to assist business owners in developing a final business presentation for graduation 
  • 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
  • Measure the learning of presented information with weekly homework assignments and a final business presentation 

At the end of the program, you can possibly qualify for a $5,000 seed grant. In order to qualify for the grant, you will need to:

  • Attend all 8 virtual three-hour class once a week from 6pm -9pm and you must keep the camera on for the entire session.
  • The business owner named on the application must participate in the entire program to receive the grant. A partner, spouse or subordinate cannot attend any session on behalf of the business owner.
  • In the case of an emergency in which a participant misses a session, they may continue in the program but will not receive the grant or be considered as completing the program.
  • Complete all weekly homework as assigned by the facilitators before the next class.
  • Schedule and participate in two 15-minute consultations with each legal, human resources and accounting expert.
  • Present your completed 12-month cash flow projections during your one-on-one during week 6. 
  • Give a Final 15-minute presentation during the week 8 graduation. 

MENTOR CALLS

REQUIRED CALLS:
Meet with Will Holmes 7 TIMES. Link: https://whc.as.me/willholmesmentor
Meet With Law Mentor, Sahmra Stevenson, Esq. 2 TIMES. Link: Click here. 
Meet With HR Mentor, Dr. Johnetta Thurston 2 TIMES. Link: Click here.
Meet With Accounting Mentor, Catherine Wright 2 TIMES. Link: Click here.

Essential Tools

One Optional Meeting During the Program

 

LEARNING SESSIONS

Week One for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In for Businesses 

Topic: Introductions, Program Orientation & Business Challenges
Facilitator(s): 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 (in 3 minutes): Name; Business Name; Target Customers and 12-month Revenue Goal. We will discuss the importance of the 12-month Cash Flow Projections, which will be the foundation of planning the growth of the business.

Click here for Week One Homework

Resources:

 

Week Two for Businesses 
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Building a Sustainable Organization’s Infrastructure
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes 
Panelists:  TBD

During this 3-hour session, for the first half, 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 half, we will be joined by a panel of successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Two Homework

Resources:

 

Week Three for Businesses 
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Leading People & Planning for Growth
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes 
Panelists: TBD

During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Three Homework

Resources:

Week Four for Businesses 
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Marketing & Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes
Panelists: TBD

During this 3-hour session, for the first half, 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 half, 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 
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes 
Panelists: TBD

During this 3-hour session, for the first half, 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 half, 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. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Five Homework

Resources:

 

Week Six for Businesses 
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In

Topic: Preparing for Capital & Essential Financial Documentation
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes 
Panelists: TBD

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. In 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. In the third hour, the facilitator will thoroughly explain the final presentation, visually guiding Participants through the presentation template. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.

Click here for Week Six Homework Part 1

Week Six Homework Part 2: Discuss your cash flow projections with your Mentor. 

Resources:

Practice Presentation for Businesses
Zoom Log In | Facilitator(s): Will Holmes

 

 

Final Presentation and Graduation 
Zoom Log In

Topic: Presentations and Graduation
Facilitator(s): Will Holmes

During our final 3-hour session, we will bring all the Participants together for presentations to local lenders and government agencies. 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.