Start Your Own Business

150 hours/12 months access/Instructor Supported

Overview

Would you love to be your own boss? Do you have a great idea for a business, but just don't know where to begin? Let us help you get started! Our in-depth course can provide you with a comprehensive introduction on how to start your own business. This is your chance to take that exciting first step toward a new career as an entrepreneur!

Do you have an idea to start your own internet business, or start your own home business? This course is an excellent starting point in learning the fundamentals every entrepreneur should understand and employ.

Our detailed start your own business course offers instruction on a number of business topics, including:

• Entrepreneurial skills
• Home business success
• Types of available small businesses
• The ingredients of a business plan
• Marketing and research
• Small business management
• Managerial accounting
• Budget planning

Textbooks included:

Entrepreneurship: Starting and Operating a Small Business (Book alone) (2nd Edition) by Steve Mariotti and Caroline Glackin

Outline

Start Your Own Business Module 1
Being an Entrepreneur

• Starting Your Business
• What Is an Entrepreneur?
• Opportunity Recognition
• Characteristics of the Successful Entrepreneur
• Income Statements: The Entrepreneur's Scorecard
• Return on Investment
• Inventions and Product Development
• Financing Strategy: Borrow or Sell?

Start Your Own Business Module 2
Choosing a Business

• Selecting Your Business
• The Power of Positive Thinking
• The costs of Starting and Operating a Business
• What Is Marketing?
• Advertising and Publicity
• Cost/Benefit Analysis
• Market Research
• Basic Business Plan Review

Start Your Own Business Module 3
Running a Successful Business

• Running a Business Successfully
• Your Competitive Advantage: Tactics and Strategies
• Keeping Good Records
• Negotiation
• Consumer Analysis
• Developing Your Marketing Mix
• Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships
• The Production/Distribution Chain
• Technology and Your Business

Start Your Own Business Module 4
Intermediate Business Skills

• Business Communication
• Product Quality
• Cash Flow
• From the Wholesaler's to the Trade Fair
• Trade Fair Financials
• Principles of Successful Personal Selling
• Protecting Your Intellectual Property
• Intermediate Business Plan Review

Start Your Own Business Module 5
Growing Your Business

• What You Need to Know to Grow
• Small Business and Government
• Supply and Demand
• Break-Even Analysis
• Understanding Stocks
• Math Tips to Help You Sell and Negotiate
• The Advanced Sales Call
• Franchising and Licensing: Capitalizing on Your Brand

Start Your Own Business Module 6
Advanced Business Skills

• Dealing with Contracts
• Raising Capital: Other People's Money
• Venture Capital
• Taxation for the Entrepreneur
• Corporations: Limiting Liability
• Putting the Right Management Team in Place
• Bonds and Other Debt-Based Financing Strategies
• Insurance and Other Operating Costs

Start Your Own Business Module 7
Business Ethics & Social Responsibility

• Manufacturing: From Idea to Product
• Future and Present Value of Money
• Ethical Business Behavior
• Building Good Personal and Business Credit
• The Balance Sheet: A Snapshot of Your Business
• Socially Responsible Business and Philanthropy
• Building Lifelong Financial Relationships
• Advanced Business Plan Review

Instructor: Fred Salinero, B.B.A.

Mr. Salinero is a very successful entrepreneur in many different industries. He currently owns his own construction business and is part owner in a well known Cuban restaurant in Key West, FL. He has experienced both the ups and downs of business ownership. Mr. Salinero understands what it takes to be a successful businessman. His family is from Cuba and he has become a well respected entrepreneur and business owner in the Keys.

He knows the value in making wise business decisions from the start. Mr. Salinero has always enjoyed food and when he had the opportunity to turn his passion for Cuban food into a business he jumped at the chance. His restaurant is now one of the most successful in Key West.

Computer Requirements

Internet Access

·         Broadband or high-speed internet access is strongly recommended. Broadband includes DSL, cable, and wireless connections.

·         Dial-Up internet connections will result in a diminished online experience. Moodle pages may load slowly and viewing large audio and video files may not be possible.

Hardware

·         Virtually all Windows-Mac-Linux hardware configurations and processors are acceptable.

·         1 GB RAM recommended

Software

·         Operating Systems

-  Windows XP or Vista and Mac OS X 10 and higher, most Linux distributions

·         Web Browsers

-   Mozilla Firefox 2 and 3 (previous versions will work also)

-   Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8

-   Safari is not currently recommended as it cannot display certain Moodle editing menus for both students and instructors

Media Plug-ins (These may be required depending on your course media-click on the links below to download the latest versions)

• Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Apple Quicktime
• Windows Media Player
• Real Player
• PowerPoint Viewer (use this if you don't have PowerPoint)