CO.STARTERS

The WV Hive wants to provide activities that focus on the potential within people. Throughout the year, we host training opportunities that will create human connections and build trust using the CO.STARTERS philosophy. We also hold monthly workshop focusing on specific and time-sensitive topics to help the entrepreneurs in our area and statewide. Dates and additional information can be found on our Events Calendar.

A Business Launching Program

option 1:

CORE version

Cost: $75/per person,

Turn Your Dream Into Reality

Thousands of entrepreneurs have turned their dreams into reality through the programs and support provided by CO.STARTER member communities around the globe. As a CO.STARTER member, the WV Hive is extremely excited to offer this training to our local entrepreneurs!

CO.STARTERS provides an action-driven, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded people. Over ten weeks, you will identify your assumptions about why and how your businesses will work and then talk to customers in order to validate your ideas. This approach enables you to rapidly uncover flaws in your concept and find viable models more quickly. You’ll leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business, articulate your model, and repeat the process with your next great idea.

WHO?

This training is for anyone with a business idea that needs refined or an existing business looking to become more sustainable or launch a new product or service.

WHEN?

Courses will take place each Thursday, 8:30am to 11:30am, from September 12 to November 14.

Register here.

What will be covered:

  • Session 1:  Knowing Yourself Introduction, Assumptions, Working Styles, Team Building, Obstacles
  • Session 2: Knowing Your Customer Customer, Problem, Alternatives, Idea Testing
  • Session 3: Finding the Right Solution Solution, Benefit, Advantage, Starting Small, Brand Identity
  • Session 4: Getting the Relationship Right Marketing & Message; Getting, Keeping & Growing Customers
  • Session 5: Building Blocks Distribution, Revenue, Typical Offering, Price
  • Session 6: Structures & Systems Legal & Accounting Considerations
  • Session 7: Discovering the Bottom Line Startup & Ongoing Needs, Fixed & Variable Costs, Break-Even Point
  • Session 8: Financial Modeling Break-Even Point, Sales Projections, Cash Flow, Raising Capital
  • Session 9: Planning for Growth Growth Plans, Goal Setting, Celebration Prep
  • Session 10: Celebration You have come a long way! It is time to be recognized and to celebrate with your peers. Your group gets to decide how this happens.

option 2:

get started

Cost FREE

Built on the CO.STARTERS model, this three-hour workshop helps participants work together to explore their ideas through the CO.STARTERS Canvas, learn how to refine their models through meaningful customer feedback, and define next steps.

WHO?

Whether just getting started, stuck on a particular issue, or in need of a refresher, this workshop will provide the jumpstart needed to get participants moving.

WHEN?

We are offering this workshop bimonthly. Daytime and evening offerings are available.

Available dates are:

  • Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 5:30pm
  • Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 9am
 

Register here.

What is covered: Three main needs faced by starters are addressed

  • Part 1 – Explore Your Idea: In this section, participants learn how the CO.STARTERS Canvas can help get ideas out of their heads into a format that can be refined over time. They also dive deep into understanding their customers.
  • Part 2 – Refine Your Model: Once ideas are mapped out on the Canvas, participants learn how to use customer feedback to refine them. They also are encouraged to find ways to start small in order to get in front of customers sooner and begin testing their ideas.
  • Part 3 – Define Next Steps: As the workshop concludes, participants define actionable steps that can be taken in the next hour, day, week, and month to move their ideas forward.

option 3:

Bootcamp

Cost: $50

Get down to business. This two-day intensive will help you launch your big idea.

Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey, but the path forward isn’t always clear. During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea or venture. Our goal is to challenge you, stretch your thinking, and give you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.

Part 1: Discover

Understand your business model and how to refine it. We’ll cover:

  • Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset
  • Building your business model using The CO.STARTERS Canvas
  • Refining your model with customer discovery
  • Refining your model through starting small

Part 2: promote

Learn how to market your business. We’ll cover:

  • Building relationships through marketing
  • Crafting your message
  • Choosing your marketing channels
  • Developing your “pitch”

Part 3: Build

Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling. We’ll cover:

  • Distributing your product or service
  • Knowing your value (before you set your price)
  • Understanding your costs
  • Calculating a break-even point

Part 4: Launch

Build momentum by goal setting. We’ll cover:

  • Setting priorities
  • Identifying 30, 60, and 90-day milestones
  • Getting SMART about tasks
  • Creating a plan + staying on track

co.starters bootcamp will give you:

  • a safe place to share, experiment, fail, and learn together.
  • a framework for better identifying and addressing key issues.
  • connections to people and resources to help you make progress in your business.
  • concrete next steps to focus on going forward, starting with the most important.
  • confidence you’re headed in the right direction.