Community Entrepreneurship Academy
Your journey to Entrepreneurship Starts Now!
Program Schedule
Build your future in just two evenings a week. Tuesdays & Thursdays, September to March to 2025.
Mark Your Calendar
Submit your application by September 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST. All applicants will be notified of their status by September 5.
Launch Your Business
The Community Entrepreneurship Academy provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the foundational skills needed to succeed
Powered By
About the Academy
Ready to Build Your Business?
Dreaming of launching your own business but not sure where to begin? If you feel like you’re missing the tools or know-how to get started, the Community Entrepreneurship Academy (CEA) was designed for you.This hands-on academy is built to help aspiring entrepreneurs like you master the core fundamentals of starting and running a business—from creating a solid business plan to understanding marketing, operations, and financial basics.
Course details
The Community Entrepreneurship Academy (CEA) is proud to partner with the My Own Business Institute (MOBI) at Santa Clara University—a global leader in free, accessible online business education for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Through this partnership, all CEA participants gain access to MOBI’s expert-developed curriculum, trusted by over a million learners worldwide. From business planning to marketing, financial literacy to legal structure—our program is powered by MOBI to help you turn ideas into action and build businesses with lasting impact.
Overview
What You Will Learn
Entrepreneurial Mindset & Personal Growth
Build confidence, develop key soft skills, and learn how to stay mentally resilient and well-balanced on your entrepreneurial journey.
Business Planning & Strategy
Turn your idea into a clear, actionable business plan and explore models that align with your goals and lifestyle.
Operations & Compliance
Learn how to legally structure your business, navigate permits, and protect it with the right risk management tools.
Financial Management
Understand business finances, explore funding options, and gain the skills to manage cash flow and control costs effectively.
Ethics & Leadership
Lead with integrity and make values-driven decisions that build trust and long-term success.
Marketing, Sales & Communication
Build your brand, reach your audience, and sell with confidence—online and offline.
SYLLABUS
About the Course
SECTION 1: IDEATE
Purpose: Understand your entrepreneurial traits and align your business idea with your personal vision.
- Characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.
- Evaluating your entrepreneurial traits.
- Defining your personal vision.
- Aligning your idea with your personal vision.
SECTION 2: POSITION
Purpose: Place your idea in the market, identify customers and competitors, and establish the legal and financial foundation of your business.
- Assessing the market opportunity.
- Identifying potential customers and paths to reach them.
- Scoping out competitors and devising a competitive strategy.
- Estimating revenue potential and startup costs.
- Choosing the right legal structure for your business.
- Planning your business exit strategy.
- Next steps based on your findings.
SECTION 3: COMMIT
Purpose: Bring your business to life by reaching customers, ensuring legal protection, and securing finances.
- Defining and communicating your brand.
- Effective marketing and sales strategies.
- Product distribution channels.
- Financial tools for prediction and monitoring.
- Assessing funding needs.
- Protecting your intellectual property.
- Legal compliance and risk management.
SECTION 4: REFINE
Purpose: Utilize feedback and data to improve and prepare your business for a broader audience.
- Interpreting early sales data and customer feedback.
- Identifying and recruiting necessary talent.
- Intellectual property considerations when expanding.
- Seeking advisory boards or mentors for decision-making support.
- Exploring funding options.
- Creating a compelling business plan for potential investors
SECTION 5: LAUNCH
Purpose: Strategically launch your business, instill a positive company culture, and prepare for future challenges and growth.
- Launch strategies and customer outreach.
- Leadership and fostering a positive company culture.
- Implementing and documenting essential business processes.
- Metrics for measuring success.
- Emergency and disaster planning.
- Forecasting financial metrics and outcomes.
- Exiting strategies.
- Evaluating and improving business finances.
PITCH TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Purpose: Strategically launch your business, instill a positive company culture, and prepare for future challenges and growth.
- Launch strategies and customer outreach.
- Leadership and fostering a positive company culture.
- Implementing and documenting essential business processes.
- Metrics for measuring success.
- Emergency and disaster planning.
- Forecasting financial metrics and outcomes.
- Exiting strategies.
- Evaluating and improving business finances.
What’s Included
Included in Your Program
Class Content
Content Co-created with insight
Real-world projects
Project Reviews
Student Services
Real-Time support
Alumni Community
Business Resources
Network Opportunities
Tips & Exercises
Your Journey Starts Here
Who This Course is For
Visionary Dreamer
You have a dream, a passion, or a powerful idea—and you’re ready to turn it into a real business. You’re looking for structured guidance, trusted resources, and a supportive community to help you take the first steps with confidence.
The Purpose Pioneer
You’re bringing years of work or life experience into the world of entrepreneurship. Whether shifting from a job, re-entering the workforce, or starting a new chapter, you want to channel your skills into a business that reflects your values and creates impact.
The Emerging Entrepreneur
You’ve taken the leap and launched your business—or you’re in the thick of figuring it out. Now, you’re seeking sharper tools, deeper insight, and hands-on strategies to strengthen your foundation, grow with intention, and build something that lasts
All Our Programs Include
Real-world projects from industry experts.
With real-world projects and immersive content built in partnership with top-tier companies, you’ll master the business skills to launch your business.
Real-time support
Gain valuable information in the classroom in real-time.
Networking
You’ll have access to a community of business developers like you to advance your business.
Resources
Access to free materials.
Contact Us
empoweru@eastharriscounty.org
Turn Your Ideas into Reality.
We transform lives by connecting people to resources and opportunities.
