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How to Start a Business

Yes, the courses are really free! My Own Business, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to helping people start and succeed in business. The free courses are presented by successful business owners who point out the common, avoidable mistakes.

Over 20 million visitors have made use of this information. According to the World Bank: "The high-quality interactive content from My Own Business has been instrumental to the success of the SME Toolkit across five continents."

Learn more about the courses.
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MOBI Announcements
NEW!
Success Stories shared by MOBI entrepreneurs. Practical lessons from our roster of seasoned experts have paid off through hard work and perseverance.
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Course Textbooks Course Textbook - Textbook versions of both courses are available including all sessions, do's and don'ts, checklists, business plans templates and video clip templates.
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Iniciando Mi Propio Negocio Spanish Version - textbook now available for the Starting My Own Business course. Libro de texto de versión español ahora disponible para el Comienzo de Mi Propio Negocio curse.
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Support My Own Business - While our courses are offered free, our costs are covered by the generosity of individuals and organizations nurturing free enterprise throughout the world.

 

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Starting a business

The popular original course is designed for the entrepreneur who wants to start a business. Our 15 sessions cover the most important topics that are clearly explained with emphasis on learning how to write a business plan.

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Building a business

This new course is for established business owners to help take your business to the next level. Strengthen your operations, seize opportunities and plan for the future.

BUSINESS COURSE 1 BUSINESS COURSE 2

 

Starting My Own Business
Session Topics

PART ONE: EVALUATING THE BUSINESS

  1. Deciding on a business
  2. The business plan (updated)
  3. Home based businesses
PART TWO: BEFORE YOU START
  1. Financing the business
  2. Business organization
  3. Licenses and permits
  4. Business insurance
  5. Communication tools
  6. Buying a business or franchise
PART THREE: OPERATING PITFALLS
  1. Location and leasing
  2. Accounting and cash flow
  3. E-Commerce
  4. Opening and marketing
  5. Managing employees
  6. Expanding and handling problems
spacer Building My Own Business
Session Topics

PART ONE: MAKING READY FOR GROWTH

  1. Getting financial controls in place
  2. Getting your team in place
  3. Customer feedback
  4. Achieving lowest expenses
  5. Develop negotiating skills
PART TWO: GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER
  1. Alternatives for capital allocation
  2. E-commerce
  3. Growth by duplication
  4. Vertical integration
  5. Franchising your business
  6. Global expansion
  7. Buying businesses
  8. Public ownership
PART THREE: EXIT STRATEGIES
  1. Selling your business
  2. Considerations for family succession