Starting a Small Business

Starting a small business is a big goal, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this class, we will use tools like AI to help you learn, plan, and grow your ideas. You will also work with others and learn how to explain your business clearly.

You don’t need to have a business yet. You only need an idea. You will learn how to turn that idea into a plan. You will also learn how to talk to customers, work with a team, and share your idea with others.

This class is about more than just business. It is about building skills you can use for work, school, and everyday life.

You will build many useful skills in this class. These include:

- Thinking through your ideas before you spend time or money

- Planning projects step-by-step so they don’t feel too big

- Reading hard documents like contracts or business forms

- Working with others to make your plan better

Even if you don’t start a business right away, these skills will help you at any job or in your personal life.

Here are some of the skills you will practice:

- How to use AI and other tools to get ideas, write emails, make lists, and learn fast

- How to talk to co-workers and clients so you can work together and solve problems

- How to find customers who need your service or product

- How to make a simple budget that shows what you need to buy and how you will earn money

- How to organize your work using tools like calendars, apps, and charts

These skills are useful if you want to work for yourself, work in a team, or get a new job.

We will learn one step at a time. Each class will help you build your plan. You will work on your own idea and get help from the group.

Day 1:

- Meet the class

- Set up phones or laptops

- Try out AI tools and apps

Days 2 to 5:

- Learn how to use AI

- Read a case study

- Learn as we discuss someone else’s business idea

Days 6 to 9:

- Work on your own business idea

- Write a short talk about your idea (elevator pitch)

- Use AI to help you write your plan

- Make a budget and supply list

- Create a flyer, social media ad, business card, logo

Day 10:

- To be determined