Aboriginal Small Business & Entrepreneur Development Program

Designed for Aboriginal individuals, communities and organizations, Turtle Island's Small Business and Entrepreneur Development Program offers a stepped approach to learning about the essential aspects of small business while simultaneously developing your own business plan. The 12-week Entrepreneur Development, Business Viability and Business Plan Development courses are followed by Business Plan Initiation over 36-weeks.

Computer Foundations

Computer Foundations comprises self-paced narrated presentations with activities to get you started before you know it! Introduction - Using my Computer, Email, Skype, Word, Excel, Internet Basics

Entrepreneur Development

Entrepreneur Development provides an introduction to the entire program. Key areas of focus include Aboriginal histories, preparation for life and career change, personal cash flow, record keeping, business and intercultural communication, internet research. Foundational theories, models and concepts will be explored and applied in various cultural contexts through analysis of real examples, case studies and group activities.

The aim of this course is to engage participants in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding as they follow a path of entrepreneurship in cross-cultural contexts, mindful of their ancestral values and histories. After successful completion of the course, participants will possess increased awareness of life and career changes involved in self-employment. Participants will be able to apply this knowledge to the following 3 courses in the program, which equips Aboriginal women and men to develop sustainable business plans and operate their companies within the wider market place. 

Business Viability

This course provides the participant with the opportunity to assess the viability of their proposed business idea. The purpose of determining business viability is to provide a clear, customer-focused vision of why the proposed venture is sensible from market, industry, and team perspectives, viewed independently and collectively. Key areas of focus will include business viability (definitions, models, approaches), market description and research, industry description and research, and human resources description and research. Foundational theories, models and concepts will be explored and applied from an intercultural perspective through analysis of real examples, case studies and group activities.

The aim of this couse is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of key issues in assessing business viability before developing a complete business plan. The business viability assessment demonstrates evidence based research that the participant will use in building a persuasive and compelling business plan.

Business Plan Development

This course provides the participant with the opportunity to design and complete their own business plan. A business plan is words and numbers on paper that will guide you through the gaps, the competition, the bureaucracies, the products and the services. A business plan is a written summary of your business goals, what resources you need, and how you intend to organize these resources to meet your personal and business objectives. It's the road map for initiating your business and measuring your progress. In Business Plan Development, foundational theories, models and concepts will be explored and applied from an intercultural perspective through analysis of real examples, case studies and group activities. 

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding as they design and build their own persuasive and compelling business plans. Upon successful completion of Business Plan Development, candidates will be able to understand the business development process and also use this process to develop additional business ideas.

Business Initiation

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge, understanding and support as they initiate the businesses for which they have developed their business plans.  Upon successful completion of Business initiation, candidates will be able to operate their businesses in the marketplace. Candidates will be able to utilize their business to build sustainable income - and develop additional businesses!

Where & When

Saturdays: January 7 to March 31 - 9am to 5pm at Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Skills and Education Building, 3075 Takaya Drive, North Vancouver

Wednesdays:  January 11 to March 28 - 9am to 5pm at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Campus, 515 Hastings Street, Vancouver

Online: Weekly Instructor/Participant Session

Course Fees:  $5,500 per individual

Click here to find out if you are eligible for funding through the Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP)


 

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