Launch & Grow Your Business

(WA State SEAP Approved Course)

This course will teach you how to start and grow your business. During seven, 3-hour sessions, participants will learn how to manage, market and finance their businesses, with a focus on writing a business plan. Participants will also enjoy networking with other people who are starting or running businesses.

Session One: Planning (7/21)

What is an entrepreneur? What does it mean to be a business owner? Feasibility and business planning. Key components of a business plan, leadership and business ethics.

Session Two: Products & Services (7/28)

Products/Services, Price, Distribution/Place, Features versus Benefits, USP, Competitive Matrix

Session Three: Marketing I (8/4)

Industry, Customer, competition, SWOT Analysis

Session Four: Marketing II (8/11)

Components of marketing strategy, including in-depth look at social media marketing, budget

Session Five: Financial Planning I (8/18)

Understanding Financial Statements, Record keeping, Chart of Accounts, Financial Ratios.

Session Six: Financial Planning II (8/25)

Cash flow projection—in the computer lab, Financing options, 5 “C”s of Lending

Session Seven: Growth (9/1)

Human Resource Management, Contractor vs. Employee, Growing Your Business and Group Presentations.

Email Christopher to register or call (206) 324-4330

About the Instructor

Director of Washington Women’s Business Center at Community Capital Development, Jennifer Teehan is energized working with people to achieve their goals/dreams, whether as entrepreneurs/small business owners, connecting with family over breakfast, or playing in the snow. She earned her economics degree from the University of Virginia and studied abroad in Mali, West Africa before her own foray into entrepreneurship with AlchemList motivated her to earn her MBA in sustainable business at Bainbridge Graduate Institute (now known as Pinchot University). Every day she is inspired by the clients the WBC serves. She is especially intrigued by the challenges and the possibilities for women in business and is dedicated to building and operating a program that best supports women and all people in business. When not at work, she enjoys gardening, biking, doing yoga, hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her border collie, Star, or reading with one of her cats.