SILVER JACKET
ENTREPRENEUR CLASSROOM

12

SESSIONS

11

Videos

LAUNCH

Skill Level

2:30h

Duration

English

Language

Empower Yourself.
TAKE A LOOK AT your
NEW learning path.

MARCH 2, 2021
5:30: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom:
 Erika Prosper

Sr. Director of Customer Insights at HEB/First Lady of San Antonio

Phone:

Email: prosper.erika@heb.com

 6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: Carlos Acosta

Business Advisor at LiftFund

cacosta@liftfund.com

Office:888.215.2373 ext. 1258

Cell:210.919.5503

Introduction to the Business Canvas and the Business Plan

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” These wise words spoken by Benjamin Franklin are applicable not only to everyday life but also to your small business. Throughout the12-weeks, you, our Silver Jackets, will be fleshing out your business plan. In this first session, Carlos will lead a discussion on leadership, decision making, and doing your research. What does it take to be a quality business owner? Silver Jackets will discuss their passions and realistic vision for your company. You will gain help narrowing down your business goals and begin your business plan by starting with your Business Canvas exercise.

Assignments

Commit to success by starting your Business Canvas Exercise. This will set the foundation for beginning your actual business plan in the next session. Your business plan is the foundation of this 12-week program. Each week you will add to your business plan, ultimately having a professional tool ready for you to use and refer to upon Business Launch.

The discussion will include designing your:
-Company Profile
-Company Mission Statement
-Company Vision
-Company Timeline

Homework

-Finish Business Canvas
-Complete Sections I and II of the Business Plan template

Official Start
Section I
Describe who you are, your business name, and how much funding you need along with what the funding will do to grow your business.

Key Questions to Answer:
What does your business do?
-What market need does your business solve?
-What are the 4-7 reasons our business will be successful?
-How much capital, if any, are you seeking for your business? What are you going to use the capital for?

Section II
Company Profile
What is your business name? Do you have a logo? Do you have a tagline?
-What type of legal entity is your business filed as? (Sole- Proprietorship, Corporation, LLC, etc.)
-When was the business founded? (What date was the legal entity filed?)
-Where are you located?  Please provide the current or proposed address.

Company Mission Statement
-A statement
 that illustrates the “Mission” is an opportunity to clearly define the business goals and what the business does for its interested parties.
-What does your business do? Why are you in business? For whom are you in business?

Company Vision Statement
Where do you aim to be in the future?

Company Timeline
-Existing businesses- 
include company history and any major milestones
Start-up businesses- include specific steps you will take in order to launch
Both- goals for future growth in upcoming years

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MARCH 9, 2021
5:30 Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom:
 Roger Canamar

International Fashion Designer

Phone: 714-654-0613

Email: racflexx@gmail.com

 6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: Carlos Acosta

Business Advisor at LiftFund

cacosta@liftfund.com

Office:888.215.2373 ext. 1258

Cell:210.919.5503

Introduction to the Business Plan
In this second session, Carlos will introduce to you the foundation of the entire program, Your Official Business Plan Template. This template will be the outline for all your homework and constructing this template is the ultimate goal of the next 12-weeks. Throughout the 12-week program, you will construct each section for homework, working diligently towards building your Business Plan one section at a time. By the time we are close to the end of the 12-weeks you should be gearing up for your Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and Official Launch or Re-Launch of your new fashion business to the public.

Assignments

Foundation of your business plan:
-Management Team Members
-Staff Analysis
-Advisors & Mentors
-Operations Planning

Homework:

Complete section III of your business plan:
Management Team Members
Who are the owners?
-Who manages/ will manage the business?
-Describe the owner’s relevant background skills and experience. What is / will be their roles in the business. Please provide the resume(s) of owners and key staff members in the appendix.

Staff Analysis
Who do you still need to hire? What will their responsibilities be?

Advisors and Mentors
Who in your network would be a good mentor for your business?
-Who can you ask for advice and guidance (business advisors, accountants, attorneys, etc.)?

Operations
What are the days/times and locations you are open?

Begin Financial Projects Sheets

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MARCH 16, 2021
5:30: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom:
 Jesse Daniels

Head of Design & Brand at San Antonio Shoemakers

Phone: 313-595-7999

Email: jesse.daniels@sas-shoes.net

6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: KatheLehman Meyer

Director of the Academic Media Center at St. Mary’s University

Phone: 210-431-4345

Email: KLehmanmeyer@St.MaryTX.Edu

Guest speaker to discuss the importance of branding and his experience at SAS as the head of Brand. Will help students with a Q&A.

 

Assignments

Know your brand:
-Describe your brand.
-How will you influence customers to associate a positive image with your brand?
-What is your value proposition? (aspirational stages)
-Who is your audience?
-Where does your brand fit?
-Research your name in the marketplace

Marketing and Sales Strategy:
-How will you promote? How effective are your handles now if you already have them?
-What online and offline channels do you use?
-Choose effective handles or change them, choose effective hashtags that serve long term.
-How much do you/will you plan to spend on marketing?
-How will you track your efforts and measure results?

Homework
-Complete Section IV of the Business Plan:
Strategy
How do/will you promote your products/services to create sales?
-What online and offline channels will you use (website, social media,referrals, print material, etc.)?
-How much do/will you spend on marketing and sales?
-How will you track your efforts and measure results?

Branding
Branding is your promise to your customers. It includes your logo, tagline, color scheme, and messaging. It also strongly conveys how you want your customers to perceive you. It is important to create and employ consistently, a brand that is memorable and relevant to your business.
-Briefly describe your brand, (what you stand for, unique advantages you want your customers to associate you with, etc.).
-How will you influence your customers to associate a positive image with your brand?

Designing branding.
-Solidify all handles. Think about the long term goals.

-Choose brand colors and identify their #RGB color codes for consistency.
-Choose the brand font(s). Gain help in conceptualizing, designing, and perfecting your logo

-Insert starter branding into starter Branding BoardTurn in Sections I, II, III, and IV of your Business Plan and your starter Branding Board to earn your first patch

Brand Identity

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MARCH 23, 2021
5:30pm-6:00pm Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom:

Burgundy Woods

Homework Progress Reporting

6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator(s): Legal: Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith Law Firm

(210) 209-5556

RebeccaSmithLawFirm@Gmail.Com (LiftFund Referral)

Assignments

An overview of the legal considerations you need to think about in relation to your business:
-Sole Proprietor or LLC?
-Identify and protect your intellectual property
-IP Protection in the fashion and apparel industry
-Patents
-Industry Design or Design Patent
-Trademarks
-Infringement
-Copyright
-How to keep trade secrets in your business

Homework

1. Register Umbrella company, DBA company name Downtown. Here is the address:

  • BEXAR COUNTY CLERK.
  • Paul Elizondo Tower.
  • 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 120.
  • San Antonio, TX 78205.
  • (210) 335-2223.
  • Website: https://gov.propertyinfo.com/tx-bexar.

They are going to give you paperwork. Buy yourself some protectant binder sheets and place this paperwork in your TFII Binder.

2. Solidify your brand and get the following:

  • NEW BUSINESS GMAIL (This cannot be used for anything else. Just the business. No personal co-mingling. No other side projects. Just the business.
  • research and get your social media handles. Keep in mind that your website domain name, handles and gmail SHOULD all be identical. MAKE IT EASY AND FINANCIALLY INEXPENSIVE for consumers to find you and identify you online.

3. Complete Sections I, II, III, and IV of Business Plan if you have not already.

4. Set a time to one-on-one meet with me before next class. This stuff must be done to move on.

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MARCH 30, 2021
5:30: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom: Lisa Weller

Twirl Salon Owner / ten years in business / two locations: SA & Austin

Twirlsalon@gmail.com

(210) 426-1482

Guest speaker will talk about being a business owner for over a decade and how she identified the products and services that her customer would identify with and buy.

Assignments

-Students will identify what their product/services are
-List them
-Develop hard costs / COGS
-Develop pricing

Homework

Complete Section V of Business Plan
Products and Services
Please list your products and services (include your menu, brochure, etc., in appendix).
-Please include the price for each product/service.
-Provide information on the cost of goods or services sold. How much does it cost you to produce your product or service?

Complete Section VI of Customers
Type(s) of Customer
To whom does your business serve? (Individual consumers, commercial customers, government agencies, etc.)

Customer Profile
Who is your ideal customer? Create a profile of who your business services including lifestyle, disposable income, education etc.
-Do you have multiple customer segments?
-Do you see any trends within your customer base?

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

APRIL 6, 2021
5:30: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom: Elsa Fernandez

Owner of Eye Candy Boutique

210-363-3572

Elsa@HeyEyeCandy.Com

Assignments

Students will have time to check in and progress report one at a time. Goal, to complete business plan this far.

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

APRIL 13, 2021

Assignments

Students will gain a crash course in the Photoshop basics that Sole Proprietors need in order to gain independence with frequently used skills, including: Layers, Resizing, Photo Retouching, Color Alteration, Color Correcting, Heal Tool, Text.

Homework
-Define Banding Colors
-Solidify Logo and Logo Variations
-Solidify Fonts
-Create your Branding Board
-Refine logo with transparent background
-Design website favicon. This is the tiny little icon on the side of your URL on your website. A favicon is 16×16 pixels.

Students will later design business cards and order them. This will coincide with Press Release.

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

APRIL 27, 2021
5:30: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom: Alyssa Mills

Owner of Straight Swim

6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: Burgundy Woods
Senior Digital Fashion Editor & Website Designer, Style Lush TV

210-350-0333

Burgundy@StyleLushTV.Com

Assignments

Solidify and Purchase Domain with GoDaddy
-Solidify handles (so they are all the same)
-Register with Siteground Hosting
-Redirect DNS from GoDaddy

Homework

-Open a bank business bank account. Will need this for the next class.

-Keep working on your business plan if you need to in preparation to meet with me, one-on-one downtown.

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MAY 4, 2021

Assignments

Today we will schedule your one-one-ones for website building so you can continue your website. Then we will begin Finance 101.

Items of Discussion:

  • Do you have a Business Bank Account?
  • What is your bookkeeping / accounting software?
  • What is your monthly profit / burn?
  • What are your gross and net margins?
  • What is your CAC or CPA?
  • What is the LTV?

Understanding how your website will play into your business and aid is promotion and sales. Gain insight from a web developer as to how to use this tool to the fullest extent. What is Hosting? What is a Domain? Learn about free tools that will help you with your business presence online.

Solidify and Purchase Domain with GoDaddy
-Solidify handles (so they are all the same)
-Solidify a Business Gmail

-Register with Siteground Hosting

Homework

Website

Understanding how your website will play into your business and aid is promotion and sales. Gain insight from a web developer as to how to use this tool to the fullest extent. What is Hosting? What is a Domain? Learn about free tools that will help you with your business presence online.

Solidify and Purchase Domain with GoDaddy
-Solidify handles (so they are all the same)
-Solidify a Business Gmail

-Register with Siteground Hosting

Financal/Accounting

-Did you open a bank business bank account? Will need this for the next class.

Business Plan

Complete Section VII of the Business Plan
Industry and Competition
Market Need
What customer need(s) are you fulfilling?

Market Fundamentals
IndustryOverview
In what industry do you compete?
-What is the size of the industry (local, national, global)?
-Are there specific regulations, licenses, or other credentials important to your industry?

Market Trends
What are the key market trend(s) and how do they affect your business(growth trends, seasonality, consumer preferences)?
-RelevantMarket Size
-How large is your target market (the number of customers who can realistically buy from you)?

Competitive Analysis
Who are your direct and indirect competitors? Please include the name of the business, location, products/services they sell and the price range. SeeSection VII for example.
-What are their strengths and weaknesses?
-How do you compare to your competitors (price, service, features)?

Competitive Advantage
Based upon what you know about those competing in your industry; wheredoes your business fit and how does your business stand out (how are you better/different)?
-What are your competitive advantages (aspects that are unique to you and your business)?

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MAY 11, 2021
5:30pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: 
Burgundy Woods
Senior Digital Fashion Editor & Website Designer, Style Lush TV

210-350-0333

Burgundy@StyleLushTV.Com

Assignments

– Overview of QuickBooks

-Understanding how to not co-mingle funds and separate your personal income from your professional income.

-Learn how to manage your accounting and categorize expenses

-Setting up your personal and business bank accounts in your profile

-Setting up milage log

-Set up your taxes

-Learn how to create reports: Mileage log, Profit and loss (PnL), Business and personal expenses, Receipts, Tag Totals, Tax summary, Tax details

-Overview on how to set up your invoices template and prepare to invoice clients/customers

Homework

Financial Workbook
– Complete tab 1-5 on Financial Workbook

QuickBooks
-Import past bank transactions
-Go through transactions and categorize them correctly

Website
-Create a Google Business Profile
-Create a Google Analytics Profile 

Business Plan

-Have you completed section VII from last week?

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MAY 18, 2021
5:30pm: Guest Speaker/Words of Wisdom: Jules Aldaz

Wardrobe Stylist for Great Day SA-KENS5

Phone: 214-448-7452

Email: Style@jules.style

6:00pm-8:00pm Co-Facilitator: BurgundyWoods

Senior Digital Fashion Editor at Style Lush TV

210-350-0333

Burgundy@StyleLushTV.Com

Assignments

-Learn how to write a press release/receive your template
-Receive starter Media List
-Do you need a headshot?

Homework

-Perfect Press Release in preparation for your ribbon-cutting ceremony

 

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

MAY 18, 2021

Assignments

We evaluate where the class in as a whole. Final certificate ceremony will be scheduled once we feel the entire class can celebrate mastering the sessions taught. This session will allow you to complete and finish you business plan and check off all items on your Progress Report. Preparation for Certificate Ceremony and Planning Grand Opening and/or Ribbon Cutting to also occur.

Homework

-Complete Business Plan
-Press Release
-Pencil In Date for Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

JUNE 22, 2021

Items of discussion

  • Small Business Loans
  • When you hire 
  • Sole Proprietor to LLC
  • How to hire independent contractors

Resources given during session

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (5:50 PM)

https://www.waveapps.com/

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:01 PM)

https://www.twc.texas.gov/

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:06 PM)

https://www.twc.texas.gov/businesses/classifying-employees-independent-contractors

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:12 PM)

https://portal.cs.oag.state.tx.us/wps/portal/!ut/p/z1/lZDNCoJQEEafpYVbZ_L31k4lpBQMQbS7CY2bCqaiN42ePqlwYwrNboZz-JgPKERAy7jL05jnVRkXw36i2pkgIWuioIOur6LhmTJayh7JTofwDeDMGAh0wbe1rz8C9sbTB-BoK45kSehri_6YP-eb6p_50wC6_N4BaFpUyacqo0xkkgJt2JU1rBHvzXDOOK_brYAC9n0v8v4icvaIWzGtOgF_WVnVcogmMNS3IAiip8tCY_UCM2371Q!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:13 PM)

https://www.twc.texas.gov/files/businesses/guide-hiring-people-with-disabilities-twc.pdf

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:29 PM)

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

From Carlos- SAWBC to Everyone: (6:36 PM)

210.919.5503

*This 12-week program is designed to build off the previous week’s assignments. It is vital to finish all homework before the next session and to bring it to the class completed. Our ability to help you in class and move you forward is based on your completed homework. Please come to class prepared.

Video 2h

Certificate Ceremony: This will be determined once we feel everyone can feel confident in the education learned during the course of the program. We evaluate where the class in as a whole. Final certificate ceremony will be scheduled once we feel the entire class can celebrate mastering the sessions taught. This session will allow you to complete and finish you business plan and check off all items on your Progress Report. 

Location TBD

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