Starting and Running a Small Business
A 12-Week DIY Guide From Dream to Game Plan
12 weeks · MVRO Publishing
By Week 12, You Will Understand
A validated business idea, competitive research, a startup budget and break-even plan, a brand identity, the right legal structure, working systems, profitable pricing, a marketing plan, a sales process, a service-delivery standard, and a growth plan — reviewed and refined at week 12.
Sample Week 1
From Dream to Game Plan
By the end of this week, you should be able to
- Identify and refine your business idea
- Understand the problem you're solving and for whom
- Define your short-term and long-term business goals
Questions to Ask
- — What problem am I solving that people will pay for?
- — Who are my ideal customers?
- — What does success look like in 1, 3, and 5 years?
Suggested Internet Searches
- how to validate a business idea
- finding your target audience
- SMART goals for entrepreneurs
AI Prompts
Beginner — Suggest three ways I can test if my business idea has demand.
Pro-Level — As a business strategist, help me validate my [describe business] idea. Include at least 3 low-cost market tests, how to measure results, and a recommended decision framework.
Case Study
Janelle has an idea to sell eco-friendly cleaning products but isn't sure where to start.
- — Should she test demand locally before building a website?
Workflow Checklist
- Write a one-sentence description of your business idea
- List the top three problems your business solves
- Identify your ideal customer persona
- Research current market trends for your idea
- Draft SMART business goals
- Choose one idea validation method to test this week
The Full 12-Week Syllabus
- 01From Dream to Game Plan
- 02Research Like a Detective
- 03The Money Map
- 04Building Your Brand
- 05Legal & Paperwork
- 06Systems Make You Sane
- 07Pricing & Profit
- 08Marketing 101: Be Seen
- 09Sales Without the Sleaze
- 10Deliver Like a Pro
- 11Growth Mode
- 12Review, Refine, and Celebrate