Start Your Own Business

Course details

Do you have a great idea for a business, but just don't know where to begin? Let Stratford help you get started! Our in-depth course can provide you with a comprehensive introduction on how to start your own business. 

This is your chance to take that exciting first step toward a new career as an entrepreneur! 

Stratford's detailed course offers instruction on a number of business topics, including: entrepreneurial skills, home business success, the ingredients of a business plan, managerial accounting and more!

Start Your Own Business Course Outline

Start Your Own Business Module 1

Entrepreneurial Skills

• The World of Small Business
• Steps to Home Business Success
• Product, Manpower, and Capital Options
• Starting and Managing a Business from Your Home
• Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home-Based Business
• Choosing your Form of Business Organization
• Recordkeeping, Insurance, and Legal Issues
• Balance Sheets, Profit and Loss Statements, Cash Flow Statement
• Time and Stress Management
• Personal Qualities Needed for Success in Business

Start Your Own Business Module 2

Becoming an Entrepreneur

• About Entrepreneurs
• Planning for the Business
• Forms of Ownerships
• The Business Plan
• Marketing the Business
• Finding Your Target Market
• Preparing the Marketing Plan
• Hiring, Training, and Compensating Employees
• Preparing Financial Statements

Start Your Own Business Module 3

The Basics of Business for an Entrepreneur

• The Basics of Economics
• Measures of Economic Activity
• The Business Cycle
• International Business Basics
• Business Behavior Basics
• Basic Management Functions
• Consumer Information, Skills, Rights, and Responsibilities
• Basic Finance

Start Your Own Business Module 4

Entrepreneur: Business Law Basics

• The Basics of Law
• Business Ethics
• Civil, International, and Other Classifications of Law
• The Legal System
• The Basics of Contractual and Property Law
• Bailments and Intellectual Property
• The Basics of Employment Law
• Basic Forms of Business Organization
• The Basics of Debt

Starting Your Own Business Module 5

Finance Demystified for Entrepreneurs

• Basic Business Math
• The Balance Sheet
• Accounting Principles and Standards 
• Financial Statement Preparation 
• Using the Financial Statements 
• Analyzing Ratios and Other Calculations 
• Comparative Financial Statements 
• Comparative Balance Sheet 
• Comparative Income Statement 
• Variable and Fixed Costs 
• Break-Even Point 
• Gross Profit versus Net Profit 
• Preparing Budgets
• Financing Alternatives and Business Valuation