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Course Virtual

Foundations for Outdoor Businesses

Name: Foundations for Outdoor Businesses
Start: 2022-09-07T18:00:00-04:00
End: 2022-09-07T20:30:00-04:00
Location: Virtual

with Matt Godfrey

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Dates

Wednesdays

Sep 7 - Oct 19

Time

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Price

$375

Location

Online — Zoom, NC

Scholarships available

Request a scholarship within the online registration form if you live in a rural WNC location, have a low-to-moderate income, or are an agricultural business. You may qualify for a partial scholarship (discounted rate is up to 80% off for qualifying individuals).

Each class offering has a limited number of scholarships and they are available on a first come, first served basis.

This class will be held virtually via videoconferencing platform and structured to optimize community building through online learning. Class will meet every Wednesday, September 7th – October 19th from 6pm – 8:30pm, with no class October 12th.

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.

Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in the Outdoor Industry to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.

To inquire about adding your name to a waiting list for full classes, please contact Lilley Egues, lilley@mountainbizworks.org or (828) 253-2834 ext. 16

Outdoor Industry Specific Cohort

This cohort is open only to entrepreneurs with Outdoor Industry based ideas and businesses. Content has been adapted in order to be relevant and targeted to launching and growing a business in the Outdoor Industry.

Registration

Complete our online registration form to hold your seat in the class of your choice. We will follow up with you within a few days. You are welcome to contact us with any follow-up questions or ask about the status of your request.

See the schedule

Facilitator

Meet our facilitator for this course.

Matt Godfrey

Matt Godfrey is an advocate and leader in our outdoor business community, serving as the Outdoor Entrepreneur in Residence for Mountain Bizworks, supporting their outdoor business...

Matt Godfrey is an advocate and leader in our outdoor business community, serving as the Outdoor Entrepreneur in Residence for Mountain Bizworks, supporting their outdoor business education and cohort based programs. He is the lead facilitator for the Waypoint Accelerator, the first outdoor entrepreneurship and innovation accelerator program east of the Rockies that he helped develop and launch in 2019.

Matt is also the Executive Director for the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC (OGB), an outdoor business association made up of more that 70 businesses and organizations representing the entire outdoor industry in Western North Carolina. He currently serves on the advisory boards for the Made x Mountains Partnership and Old Fort Outdoors For All.

A coach, connector, partner, educator, leader and facilitator of impactful ideas with a broad range of experience in sales, marketing, finance, operations, leadership, and organizational development. Matt believes collaboration leads to innovation and positive impact within our businesses and communities.

Additional Course Details

Course Pricing

The course fee is $375; however, we offer a modest discount for virtual classes and needs-based scholarships are available (see below). If you are not applying for a scholarship, a minimum deposit of 50% of the total is due upon enrollment to reserve your seat and will be followed by an email confirmation of your placement within a few business days. A pay link will be included in your email confirmation for submitting any remaining class balances.

Class Schedule

Some classes have a built-in make up class for holidays or inclement weather. Attendance for all classes is recommended to not fall behind in any of the material. Week 1 is required, but if you have a scheduling conflict where you would miss any other classes, please let us know. Additional support may be available for any missed class material.

Schedule

Week 1

Gaining Perspective

Matt Godfrey

We start by viewing our business concepts from a high altitude, in order to define our visions and get a good look at the main topics to be addressed.

Week 2

Laying the Foundation

Matt Godfrey

Next, we return to the ground level to define our lines of business and analyze financial essentials, from overhead costs to break-even points.

Week 3

Getting into the Flow

Matt Godfrey

In the third session, we’ll cover the financial bases of cash flow, sales forecasting, and financial documents.

Week 4

Mission & Markets

Matt Godfrey

Then, we’ll revisit our mission, discuss market research, and identify competitors in order to align with our target markets.

Week 5

Get the Word Out

Matt Godfrey

Next, we’ll discuss creative marketing strategies and give peer feedback on marketing materials.

Week 6

Goodbye & Good Luck

Matt Godfrey

Finally, we’ll present our business plans, share final pitches, and plan for next steps.

1-on-1 coaching

Our dreamers build stronger companies with coaches.

During or following the course, One-On-One Business Coaching may be a great way to reinforce and deepen your understanding of the topics you learn in class and relate them to your business concept.

See how it works

Schedule intake session