Starting Your Own Business VENT 1810

This course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship for students wishing to start their own business or who wish to learn about fundamental entrepreneurial skills that will help them with their career. Application of these skills can occur in many environments outside of the startup of a business, including working as an independent contractor, an employee, a manager or team leader, or the management team of a large private or public organization. Employers look for self-starting professionals who can work independently and innovate on the job. This course offers full coverage of the foundation skills for today’s entrepreneur who is starting a business or building a career. The course follows a cycle starting with the new business idea and moving forward to the implementation of the business opportunity. Several key entrepreneurial skills are covered, including: (1) how to identify and define a new business idea; (2) how to evaluate a new business opportunity; (3) financial assessment of a new idea; and (4) how to assess market potential of a new idea. Other topics include how to set up a business (incorporation, proprietorship, partnership), business insurance, business taxes, working with partners and an introduction to financing sources.