Start Smart Series: Entrepreneurship-Should I Pursue it? | Session 1

Start Smart Series: Entrepreneurship - Should I Pursue it?

Program Details

• Start Date: April 7, 2026 | Session 1
• Meeting Day & Time: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (networking starts at 4:30pm if you want to join)
• Format:
  • In-person each Tuesday
  • Graduation: May 19, 2026
• No-Fee

This week will cover Courses 1 and 2. You will review important factors for deciding whether or not to follow your dream of starting or growing a business. You will learn about some of the rewards that entrepreneurship brings, and review some of the challenges that entrepreneurs face. You will see how your decision to become an entrepreneur will impact you, your family, and your community. You will review traits of successful entrepreneurs.

What You’ll Gain in this Session

• You will be introduced to the business plan tool that is built into this program
• You will start working on your business plan
• You will also learn about customers and competitors
• You will start to do some market research
• Start to think about laws and regulations that may apply to your business idea

Entrepreneurs just starting out and business owners that have started but would like to get some fundamentals down that they may have missed. This is a great way to get a solid foundation in your operations!

Facilitator Bio: CJ Johnson, Program Supervisor and Facilitator CJ has been with the Maricopa SBDC for 7 years and previously worked over 20 years as a Commercial Lender, wherein she helped small businesses, by providing them with SBA and traditional loans and lines of credit. As your facilitator CJ will also bring in other subject matter experts each week who will expand on what you are learning.