Curriculum
What you will learn
DreamBuilder Program - Phase 1
Module 1: Starting your Dream
● You’ll learn the rewards that entrepreneurship brings, the challenges that you might face and the traits of successful entrepreneurs.
● You’ll also see how your decision to become an entrepreneur will impact you, your family, and your community.
Module 2: Exploring your Dream
● You will explore your business idea in greater detail.
● You will learn about internal and external sources of business ideas and the importance of sharing your ideas for feedback.
● You will learn about customers and competitors, start to do some market research, and think about laws and regulations that may apply to your business idea.
Module 3: Planning your Dream
● You will learn what a business plan is and why you need it.
● You will review the different sections of a business plan, and explore some ways it can guide your decision-making.
● You will learn about the DreamBuilder business plan generator and resources.
Module 4: Making your Dream
● You will identify the type of business you will start or grow: a product-based business, a service-based business, or a combined product and service-based business.
● You will be guided through all of the steps and activities required to make your product or deliver your service.
Module 5: Marketing your Dream
● You will discover why marketing is important. You will learn how to communicate the value of your product or service to potential customers. You will find out how to identify your target market and learn about the importance of positioning and branding.
● You will create an elevator speech, and explore ways to share your story through advertising and digital marketing.
Module 6: Pricing your Dream
● You will learn how to set prices for your product or service.
● You will think about the value customers get from your product or service and the price they are willing to pay.
● You will learn how to calculate costs and decide on pricing that works for your business. You will review the difference between direct and indirect costs and consider what to do if your costs are too high.
● Finally, you will be encouraged to make sure that your pricing fits with your marketing message.
Module 7: Selling your Dream
● You will learn about selling, and how it contributes to your overall success as an entrepreneur. You will consider why people buy your product or service.
● You will explore the importance of looking beyond a single sale and the benefits of excellent customer service.
● Finally, you will consider how every employee is a salesperson and learn how to make a sales projection.
Module 8: Managing your Dream
● You will learn how to manage the different areas of your business to keep on top of things and make a profit. This includes hiring, training, and managing employees.
● You will review how to manage family members and good and bad employees. You will consider how to manage your time, money, and information.
Module 9: Profiting from your Dream
● You will learn how to determine if your business is earning a profit, and consider what to do if your business isn’t profitable.
● You will review the concepts of profit, loss, and break even. You will examine the sections of a Profit and Loss Statement and how to use this document.
● You will consider some reasons why your business may not make a profit and how to correct this.
● Finally, you will explore what to do if your business is profitable.
Module 10: Keeping track of your Dream
● You will explore why it is important to have a system for tracking the money that flows in and out of your business.
● You will learn about bookkeeping and accounting terms and processes, including Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and the use of a Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Projections.
● You will see how these statements can help you track the financial health of your business. Finally, you will review other accounting resources.
Module 11: Funding your Dream & Business Pitching
● You will think about how much money you really need to start or grow your business.
● You will review different sources of funding, and learn how your business plan can help you get funding.
● You will learn of sources of non-traditional funding as options to start off your business which include Business Sou Sou, Business Showers and Crowdfunding platforms.
Module 12: Formalizing your Dream
● You will explore the legal considerations involved in starting or growing a business.
● You will learn about contracts and agreements and experts who provide guidance with these documents.
● You will explore possible legal structures for your business.
● You will review the importance of complying with laws and regulations and dealing with risk.
Module 13: Making your Dream a Reality
● You will learn how an Action Plan can help guide your business.
● You will work on setting goals and identifying potential challenges.
● You will consider how to leverage your allies and resources and create an Advisory Board and timeline for launch.
● You will learn how the templates on the DreamBuilder platform may help in all of these areas.
● Finally, you will print your graduation certificate and business plan
Startup Huddle St. Lucia Prep: Find Your Voice Program - Phase 2
Storytelling
Public Speaking
Quick/Informal Pitches
Formal Pitches
Pitch Evaluation Rubric
Pitch Perfect