SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION

Small Business Education Program Options

Every entrepreneur needs a deep understanding of their multifaceted business to truly thrive. The Small Biz Pathfinders develops small business education programs to help business owners learn essential foundations and grow their peer business communities.

With our team of advisors, we educate and connect entrepreneurs through customized programs that they cannot access anywhere else. The curriculum emphasizes subjects that pair well with group discussion and require peer-to-peer exploration and subject-expert clarification. Depending on geographic location, specific topics, and budget, we prioritize in-person cohorts for the best connection.

Developing and running a community-based business program requires coordinating a large number of elements. Through our experience, The Small Biz Pathfinders has developed a system that works smoothly for both the participants and the hosting organization.

The Small Biz Pathfinders offers four small business education and support formats, depending on your goals and budget. And customizes them for your community. They include:

• Biz Ed. Complete

• Biz Ed. Essentials

• Educational Networking Sessions

• Business Diagnostic & Technical Assistance

Biz Ed. Complete

Our full-service program features five key learning modules and an individual technology consultation. Additionally, participants benefit from six one-to-one advisory sessions focused on their business and related to the module topics, including operations, marketing, finance, business strategy, and an extensive Small Business Diagnostic. The ultimate goal is that business owners complete the program with an enhanced understanding of how their business can be optimized while enacting some practical changes and connecting with their colleagues for some of their future support.

The program support includes, among logistical support, a full curriculum, an online application and screening process, a dedicated Program Coordinator, and access to a program resource portal for the participants. The program coordinator also administers a grant initiative (funded by the host organization).

This is the program at the core of the Small Biz Ed. For Success program, and contains most elements of the other formats we offer. 

Biz Ed. Essentials

Pathfinders Biz Ed Essentials offers small business owners a focused yet impactful experience, featuring the Business Diagnostic, Module 3: Customer Experience and Growth, Module 4: Become a Number Whisperer #1, and Tech Consultation. It also includes two 60-minute personal sessions related to modules 3 and 4.

The program includes an assigned Program Coordinator, access to a resource portal, and advisement on grant program administration and event planning for opening and closing receptions. With an investment of $25-30,000 per cohort, Biz Ed Essentials delivers essential tools and insights to help businesses thrive, all while offering ongoing support and oversight.  

Educational Networking Sessions

A series of in-person informational and networking sessions to bring the entrepreneurial community together. Includes curriculum, presenter and networking prompts.

Session Format

• 15 mins of mix-n-mingle

• 30 mins of education

• 45 mins of intentional networking (”I want to discuss ______” stations to meet people at)

• One 1-hour Zoom Q&A topic follow-up group session at a later date for registrants 

Business Diagnostic & Technical Assistance

Designed to help communities enact a small business Technical Assistance grant program, this goes further than most TA programs. We deploy The Pathfinders Business Diagnostic to analyze their business model and develop strategies to overcome their barriers to growth and success. This document is used as a reference when approving technical assistance grants. We follow the diagnostic report's recommendations to give the owner the best options for improving their business. We act as central administrators and advisors to help them along the way.