What to Expect During We Rise: Business Plan Development
Different programs offer business plan writing courses. But in Arizona, the We Rise Accelerator is the only one aimed at helping local Black business owners. The We Rise participants offer phenomenal products and services, but a common difficulty is writing a business plan. The We Rise business plan curriculum guides participants through identifying effective ways to communicate their voice from paper to action. Once finished, the participant can successfully use the plan as a blueprint for day-to-day operations, obtaining funding, and overall growth.
We Rise alumni have appreciated this approach to providing business plan assistance and say it’s not overwhelming and helps them stay focused. Participants have also enjoyed the support and insight of a growing community of Black business owners and small business professionals who can relate to their experiences. Of Course, participants and alumni know that they can always ask for additional help during office hours.
The business plan portion of the accelerator includes:
Detailed Content - content is evenly split into five classes that easily summarize the traditional business plan:
Industry, Market, and Competition - Industry analysis, target market, SWOT, and competitive analysis
Sales and Marketing - Marketing and pricing strategy
Ownership, Management, and Operations - Discussion of day-to-day operations
Growth and Milestones (financials) - Financial statements and break-even analysis
Executive Summary - Summarize everything into a one-page overview
Case Study - A relatable Black Arizona business owner who helps participants write a plan and solve problems within their own business
Opportunities to Engagement - In the Black small business community, we’re always searching for people, like us, to be in our network and offer support. We Rise offers that support through group breakout activities that help participants and supporters understand each other’s points of view.
Open to Change - We ask for feedback to make sure the information is digestible. We regularly listen to participants about how to improve our delivery and discussion topics, and make adjustments.
While this section of the accelerator will require hard work and openness to feedback, it’s manageable with the resources offered through We Rise! If you are interested in learning more or applying for our next cohort, please visit localfirstaz.com/we-rise.