The Road to Entrepreneurship: Insights and Reflections from a 10-Week Entrepreneurial Training Program | 起業への道

Navigating the Challenges: Discovering the Keys to Success Through a Transformative Program

About six years ago, I was driven to start my own business in Chicago but lacked the guidance and resources to get started. However, my search led me to a remarkable program, now known as GROW/PROGRESANDO – Entrepreneurial Training Program, offered by Illinois Small Business Development Center,  Rogers Park Business Alliance. This free training program became a beacon of hope, providing me with the support I needed to take the first step.

When I first enrolled in the 5-day Hit the Ground Running Program, I had no clue what I was stepping into. However, I was fortunate to have instructors who genuinely cared about my growth and development as an entrepreneur. Through the 1-day Intensive BootCamp, they also provided a supportive community of like-minded individuals, all encouraging and motivating each other. Additionally, even after the sessions ended, the program offered opportunities to get started with my entrepreneurial journey.

I believed I was on the right path, but the pandemic hit. During this challenging time, I realized we were entering a transformative era, and business owners would face new obstacles to sustain their ventures. It was clear that I needed to reassess my business plans to adapt to a changing environment. Therefore, I decided to retake the program.

After completion, this program provided me with the knowledge, skills, and resources for the Steps from Dreaming to Doing. I can say with confidence that it delivered on that promise.

In this blog post, I want to share what I learned through this program which inspired and empowered me to pursue my entrepreneurial goals.

起業への道：10週間の起業トレーニングプログラムからの総括

起業を始めることを決めても、情報量ややるべきことの多さに圧倒されがちです。私も同じ経験をしてきました。シカゴに移って自分のやりたいことを始めるためのリソースを探していた時、Illinois Small Business Development CenterであるRogers Park Business Allianceが提供するGROW/PROGRESANDO – Entrepreneurial Training Programを見つけて参加を決めました。

今回のブログ記事では、その１０週間の起業プログラムで学んだ貴重な教訓を共有したいと思います。

• 自己の価値観とビジョンを大切にする：起業家として成功するためには、何より自分のビジネスに対する価値観とビジョンを明確に持つことが重要です。これらが会社の目的や目標の形成に寄与し、持続的な成長と価値創造を実現します。

• マーケティングポジショニングの重要性：自分のビジネスを成功させるためには、自社の独自性と目指す市場を明確に理解し、差別化していく必要があります。マーケティングポジショニングステートメントを練り上げることが、自社の価値を強化し、戦略的なビジネス展開に欠かせないステップとなります。

• 困難な局面での前向きな姿勢：起業は挑戦的な道のりであり、困難な局面に直面することが多にしてあります。しかし、沢山あるリソースを活用し学びと成長の機会が豊富にあり、前向きな姿勢で挑戦し続けることが成功への道を切り拓くポイントです。

• 外国語と文化への適応：英語が第二言語である場合、アメリカのビジネスシステムに戸惑うことも多々あるかもしれませんが、積極的に場に参加し質問することで、自らの成長を促し、他の起業家との交流から新たな可能性を見出すことができます。

• 専門知識豊富な指導者やコンサルタントとの学び：プログラム内で出会った専門知識豊富な指導者やコンサルタントからの学びは非常に貴重です。彼らから得た起業家としての心構えや励ましは、ビジネスの成長だけでなく、人生全体にわたって有益なものとなるでしょう。

起業は確かに容易な道ではありません。変化の激しい時代だからこそ笑顔を忘れずに、新たな挑戦に積極的に取り組んでいきたいです。ブログを読んでくださった方々も、実り多き人生を築いていけることを心から応援しています。お互いに励まし合い、成長し続けていけるコミュニティを一緒に築いていきませんか。

During the second week, I learned about the credit system and its importance in the US. Improving the credit score is crucial because it creates better opportunities for financing. I also learned how to make a detailed business plan which involved conducting a SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis helped me make informed decisions.

Enhancing the company’s financial credit standing became a priority in week three. I discovered valuable tools and techniques to improve the chances of securing capital. Additionally, I gained insights into business valuation assessment and explored various capital access and financing options. This week also emphasized the significance of goal setting and time management, enabling me to stay focused and organized.

Choosing the appropriate business entity is essential to protect personal assets and ensure legal compliance. I learned about options such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and LLC. In addition, the startup legal checklist helped me understand the necessary steps to establish my business legally and mitigate potential risks.

Establishing an online presence is crucial in today’s digital world. We were introduced to Chat GPT: How it works, risks, and usage. We also delved into the importance of creating and managing a Google Business Profile and utilizing Google Search and Maps to reach potential customers effectively.

During week six, our focus was on using data to support the growth and development of businesses by exploring marketing segmentation techniques, which involved categorizing potential customers into specific groups based on their unique characteristics and requirements. This learning guided me to create a compelling Marketing Positioning Statement that differentiated my business from others in the market.

In week seven, we drove deep into developing the vision and mission of the company. This crucial step allowed me to identify and define the core values that would serve as the guiding principles for the business.

Financial planning plays a vital role in the success of any business. We were introduced to QuickBooks as a tool for financial planning and management. Additionally, we gained insights into the registration and filing process for taxes, allowing business owners to navigate the complex world of taxation.

Effective sales strategies are essential for business growth. Week nine focused on the sales process and provided valuable insights into handling each stage successfully. Learning to follow up with potential customers and build strong relationships was a game-changer.

In the final week, I had the opportunity to network and connect with bankers and financial institutions to explore funding opportunities. This event provided valuable insights into the world of capital access and established relationships that could support our business’s growth in the future.