CO.STARTERS 2021 Summer Session

Creative Entrepreneurs

Transform a Passion to a Sustainable Business With the CO.STARTERS Ten-Week Program!

Creative Pinellas has teamed up with the Tampa Bay Innovation Center to bring CO.STARTERS to Creative Entrepreneurs in Pinellas County. The program is available at NO COST to Pinellas County artists and arts related business persons upon application approval (regular cost is $375.)

CO.STARTERS is a ten-week program that equips creative entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn ideas and passion into actions and a sustainable and thriving business as an artist/creator. The curriculum is lead by an excellent facilitator, Chris Paradies, President of Paradies Law, P.A.  who is also an intellectual property lawyer, and concretely helps participants develop in all areas in the program.

Free Discovery session for tech related businesses

Access to Innovation Center events & networking opportunities

One month free co-working in Tampa Bay Innovation Center upon successful completion -$75 value.

Who’s it For?

If you’re an aspiring or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you! Register today if you have an idea you’re ready, willing, and excited to share and pursue and a willingness to study, shape and fine-tune that idea in a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming environment. If you’re creative and community-minded, and you’re serious about turning your passion into a sustainable business, we want you.

What to Expect?

CO.STARTERS is an action-driven, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded people. Led by a facilitator who is an experienced entrepreneur, you’ll 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. For more information on the CO.STARTERS organization, visit https://tbinnovates.com/costarters.

Curriculum
You will develop and fine-tune your business idea, receiving constructive feedback from peers, advisors, and potential customers. By updating your approach based on real-time feedback you will be able to pivot or move forward. The ten-week course curriculum is facilitated by Chris Paradies, President of Paradies Law, P.A.  and includes:

Week 1 : Knowing Yourself
Introductions, Assumptions, Working Styles, Team Building, Obstacles

Week 2 : Knowing Your Customer
Customer, Problem, Alternatives, Idea Testing

Week 3 : Finding the Right Solution
Solution, Benefit, Advantage, Starting Small, Brand Identity

Week 4 : Getting the Relationship Right
Marketing & Message; Getting, Keeping & Growing Customers

Week 5 : Building Blocks
Distribution, Revenue, Typical Offering, Price

Week 6 : Structure & Systems
Legal & Accounting Considerations

Week 7 :  Discovering the Bottom Line
Startup & Ongoing Needs, Fixed & Variable Costs, Break-Even Point

Week 8 :  Financial Modeling
Break-Even Point, Sales Projections, Cash Flow, Raising Capital

Week 9: Planning for Growth
Growth Plans, Goal Setting, Celebration Prep

Week 9: Planning for Growth
Growth Plans, Goal Setting, Celebration Prep

Week 10: Celebration

Recipients have been selected for this grant. Congratulations!

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