Start Smart 2024 (WBC 1/16/24 – 2/6/24)

This class will meet for 2.5 hours over Zoom once a week for four weeks.
If you are ready to start a small business or are very new to business, this class is for you! Start Smart is a four-week course where you will learn the basic tools and business fundamentals needed to start up successfully. You will work with a Business Model Canvas (a visual hands-on tool) to get your ideas down on paper, test, refine and confirm concepts, and adjust your conclusions about customer needs.

Outcomes:

• Learn how to define your vision
• Create a mission statement
• Assess your skills, passion, and resources
• Craft a business strategy to match your reality
• Test the viability of your products and services

Class Ground Rules

As a Start Smart participant, you agree to:

• Have your camera turned on during all class sessions and be ready to actively participate
• Complete all required readings and submit assignments between classes
• Select ONE business idea for which you will complete all course assignments
• Submit a Business Model Canvas by the last class and conduct a short presentation

*We strongly encourage students to join using a computer to get the best experience. Phones can be utilized if there is no other option available.

Instructor: Beth Houtrow

Tuition: No cost.

Beth has 15+ years of experience supporting nonprofits, tech companies, and small businesses from inception to scale. She is now focused on helping the new wave of small business owners tackle the reality of operating a business. Passion for your product is a great starting point, but Beth helps you develop the skills and know-how to run a successful business. In addition to her work as a business coach, she is also the founder of Climb – The Small Business Book, a community of founders working together to learn and grow their businesses.

All clients must register for classes via your client portal account. Here’s how you can do it.
Already a Renaissance Client? 

Log in to your client portal and access the calendar at the top of your screen

New to the Renaissance Community?

Get started by filling out a client interest form and attending an orientation.

*All clients must complete an interest form and attend orientation before signing up for classes.*

Renaissance WBC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the SBA. All SBA programs or cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested, at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact: Isla, Isla@rencenter.org, (415) 348-6227