ABOUT THIS COURSE

This course is designed to help students evaluate the business skills and commitment necessary to successfully operate an entrepreneurial venture and review the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Students will learn about themselves, their decisions, and their goals to determine how entrepreneurship can play a role in their lives. Students will also be introduced to entrepreneurship from an economic perspective and the concepts of environmentally sustainable practices and social entrepreneurship. 

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Discuss examples of current entrepreneurs, their companies, and their importance global economies.
• Research and evaluate the personal attributes and skills that characterize the “successful” entrepreneur.
• Compare their personal characteristics and interests to that of the “successful” entrepreneur.
• Identify and assess sources of support for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Research and explain issues relevant to entrepreneurs such as “green” business practices, environmental sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and intellectual property.
• Identify the critical factors that are used to identify business start-up ideas – including forms of ownership.
• Identify and evaluate methods of entering an entrepreneurship venture – including but not limited to starting a new venture, buying an existing business, or   becoming a franchisee.
• Identify the financial, marketing, legal, human resource, operations, and general management skills that are necessary to successfully launch and operate a successful new venture.
• Identify the critical concepts of business planning that are used to:
  - increase the chances for business success;
  - seek out financing sources; and
  - develop a “blueprint” for a new venture.