Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) – Week 1 – Basic Requirements

I just started taking a course called “How to Build a Growing Profitable Business”, which is presented by WIBO – Workshop in Business Opportunities, a non-profit organization in NYC that teaches aspiring and established business owners how to build their business. I heard about this course years ago, but the timing never seemed right. A few weeks ago, a couple of friends of mine signed up for this course, and I was like, “No way they’re taking this course before me!” and I signed up (hey, I never said I was perfect)!

For the next 16 weeks, we’ll meet once a week with successful entrepreneurs that lead the class and teach us about topics such as market research, marketing, financing, record keeping, cash flow, etc. It’s a practical class which includes case studies and discussions in which everyone will do homework on their own businesses. There’s even going to be a graduation in January 2011. I’m going to blog my experiences with the class so feel free to check in!

My company Moxie Entertainment has been in business since 1998, but much of my learning came from books, role modelling successful people, and good old trial and error. Since I don’t know what I don’t know, I’m taking this course to fill my knowledge gaps.

I’m especially looking forward to taking what I’ve learned and applying it to myself as an artist/entrepreneur, as well as my clients. As our course leader says, to have a business, you only have to sell something. In other words, if you’re a musician with a CD to sell, YOU’RE IN BUSINESS!

WIBO has been around since 1966, and it was started in Harlem by a man named Walter Geier. He saw the need for aspiring entrepreneurs to get business training, and they’ve had over 15,000 graduates for this program. They also have a great alumni program for WIBO graduates too. This course is offered every February
and September in 9 locations (3 in Manhattan, 2 in Brooklyn, 1 Bronx, 2 Queens, and Yonkers).

Week 1 of this course is about Basic Requirements of an entrepreneur:
* What is your product or service?
* What are your goals?
* What kind of person are you?
* How will you capitalize your strengths?
* How will you overcome your weaknesses?
* What technology will you use?
* What tasks will you complete by next class?

The regular price of this course is $199 but they offer a sliding scale based on annual income. They also offer the course free as a re-entry program for incarcerated individuals. You can learn even more from their website at http://WIBO.org