Bright Beginnings – Business Basics

This fall, the student moms of Grace Place’s B301 class are diving into the essentials of small business with the “Business Basics” course—a dynamic program designed to introduce the fundamentals of starting and running a business. These entrepreneurial student moms are exploring each step of bringing an idea to life, from initial brainstorming to creating a viable business plan.

The journey began with idea development as students brainstormed and selected their business concepts. Now, they’re deep into researching their target markets, analyzing competitors, and conducting SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analyses. This research is vital for shaping well-informed business plans, giving each mom the confidence and tools to pursue potential investors and funding.

Over 8-10 weeks of one-hour classes, the course introduces essential concepts in small business management. Students learn to evaluate opportunities, develop a business plan with a budget, and identify the tools and equipment needed to get their ventures started. Interactive activities and practical exercises help them apply these lessons to their individual projects. With guidance in marketing, customer service, and even social media strategies, they’re equipped to build a brand and establish an online presence.

Each session is designed to be hands-on, making business concepts accessible and immediately applicable. By the course’s end, participants will be able to understand the basics of entrepreneurship, create a foundational budget, and utilize technology and online tools to support their business goals.

Grace Place is proud to offer this opportunity, showing yet again that Education Changes Everything. A special thank you to the dedicated volunteer teaching this course whose expertise and commitment are inspiring and empowering our students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We can’t wait to see them bring their business dreams to life and inspire others in our community to pursue their own entrepreneurial aspirations.

If you’d like to volunteer to teach an elective course, please reach out to Melisa Mast at melisa.mast@graceplacenaples.org.