GGU is offering help to entrepreneurs and small business owners who are committed to enhancing their present business or pivoting as a result of Covid 19 challenges.
The Entrepreneur Program and Small Business Programs are made possible by support from Chevron.
These programs are free and open to public upon application acceptance (see application
guidelines below).
The world turned upside down, now what?
Spring 2021
10-WEEKS: March 18 - May 20, Thursdays 5PM-8PM
Who is this program for?
This program is designed to teach small business owners how to build or restructure their business to be successful based on an actionable business plan. Post Covid 19 many businesses are going to need to innovate and pivot. Participants will be given the resources to pivot their business in the most effective way.
You’ve got a business plan, now what?
Spring 2021
11-WEEKS: March 20 - May 29, Saturdays 9AM-12PM
Who is this program for?
This program of entrepreneurial information delivered by experienced business professions is an outstanding opportunity for participants to invest in themselves and future success. Participants should have a solid plan for their prospective business. This course will provide resources, learning and pathways towards understanding of what you going to do and the timeline to achieve the goals for your business.
A Foundation for Success
The goal is for you to have launched or reimagine your company by the end of the program. In addition, through other cohort members, mentors, and alumni, you will have built a powerful network of support as you continue to grow your business.
Participants of the program will be expected to:
If you are not able to commit to any of the above activities, please delay your application until you are able to fully participate in the program.
Cohort Meetings
Leveraging the strength of the cohort, you will meet with faculty every other month
to review progress, share stories of success and challenges and receive targeted assistance
as needed.
These courses are offered in a blended-learning format, combing synchronous, asynchronous, web-blended format with virtual classroom sessions, interactive learning exercises and expert guest speakers. The class format will be heavily interactive with breakout sessions with the rest of the class. Subject matter experts will speak to each of the weekly topics and relate his or her personal experience to that subject.
Mentors
Based on commitment demonstrated and progress made during the weeks of the class, the student will qualify to be assigned a mentor. The goal is to assign a mentor with experience directly
related to the business of each qualifying student.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants will be interviewed and evaluated based on their desire and commitment to starting a practice/business over the next year, the amount of thought and planning they have already put in, and the resources they have available to them to implement their goal of establishing their practice/small business. Please note: there is NO enrollment fee for the program due to a generous grant from Chevron.
INSTRUCTIONS
Write a brief statement of intent outlining your business, resources, experience, and commitment and e-mail your current business plan to:
If you are selected for consideration in the program, there will be a follow-up phone interview to determine final acceptance into the program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be received by Friday February 26, 2021.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Participants accepted to the program will be notified by Monday March 8, 2021
HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS & WANT TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE?
As an experienced small business owner, your wisdom, drawn from your real-life lessons, can provide valuable insights to aspiring small businesses owners. To make the Small Business Program vibrant, we are seeking assistance from GGU alumni to be speakers, members of panel discussions, instructors or mentors.
Please email us at smallbiz@ggu.edu to let us know how your expertise might best be applied to the program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I participate in the Small Business/Entrepreneurship Program remotely?
I have a conflict on one/some of the class meeting dates. Is it possible to miss a session(s) and still participate in the course?
Is it possible to participate if I cannot attend for the full time frame?
How many students will be accepted into this program?
Is it ok to bring a friend or family member to sit in on a class?
Is it possible to change my business idea after submitting my application?
If I'm working on a business with another person/other people would we submit our application together?
Covers the fundamentals of starting a practice or small business and will result in a polished, finished business plan to guide your launch. The workshops will be led by experienced faculty and alumni that have their own practices / businesses, giving valuable insight and tips to start your own business.
Upon completion of the 10-week workshop, you will be paired with an experienced practitioner to help guide business growth, answer questions and offer advice throughout one year. Please note: mentors will only be assigned to students that have attended the entire 10-week workshop.
Leveraging the strength of the cohort, you will meet with faculty every other month to review progress, share stories of success and challenges and receive targeted assistance as needed.
The goal is for you to have launched your company by the end of the program. In addition, through other cohort members, mentors, and alumni, you will have built a powerful network of support as you continue to grow your business.
If you are not able to commit to any of the above activities, please delay your application until you are able to fully participate in the program.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their desire and commitment to starting a practice/business over the next year, the amount of thought and planning they have already put in, and the resources they have available to them to implement their goal of establishing their practice/small business. Please note: there is NO enrollment fee for the program due to a generous grant from Chevron.
Write a brief statement of intent outlining your business, resources, experience, and commitment and e-mail your current business plan to:
If you are selected for consideration in the program, there will be a follow-up phone interview to determine final acceptance into the program.
Applications must be received by Friday, January 22, 2021.
Participants accepted to the program will be notified by Friday, January 29, 2021.
Classes begin Saturday, February 6, 2021.
As an experienced small business owner, your wisdom, drawn from your real-life lessons, can provide valuable insights to aspiring small businesses owners. To make the Small Business Program vibrant, we are seeking assistance from GGU alumni to be speakers, members of panel discussions, instructors or mentors.
Please email us at smallbiz@ggu.edu to let us know how your expertise might best be applied to the program.
Unfortunately, the Small Business/Entrepreneurship Program is only available in-person in San Francisco at this time.
In order to participate, you must be able to commit to all ten class meetings.
In order to participate, you must be able to arrive on time and stay for the full class meeting.
We are able to accept a maximum of 25 students.
Although we would like to be able to accommodate guests, we restrict attendance to only those who are part of the course due to limited seating capacity.
No, but there are many public parking lots nearby. You can view available parking in the area by visiting bestparking.com.
Public transit directions are available here.
Once you are in the program you may be able to pivot from your original plan after consulting with instructors.
No, each individual must submit their own application for review.