The program is specifically tailored for product-based businesses that are currently run by entrepreneurs out of their home or a shared makerspace. The curriculum focuses on the organizational tools needed to prepare a small business to scale, as well as some of the nuts-and-bolts of early stage growth, such as: how to hire your first employees, what to look for in a commercial lease, how to identify raw material suppliers, and much more.
The curriculum consists of two main components:
- Strategy School is a virtual learning platform developed and delivered by small business consulting firm, Twilight Quest. This 8 week curriculum walks business owners through the basics of developing strong foundations in operations, marketing, and business development. By the end of 8 weeks, participants will have authored a realistic plan to scale their home-based business into a commercial or industrial production space.
- Program participants will be paired with Peer Mentors who themselves have successfully scaled businesses out of their homes. The Peer Mentors will offer guidance and assistance to participants for three months following completion of Strategy School.
Throughout the program, participants will also be supported by Made In Baltimore staff to offer connections to resource providers, feedback on plan development, and assistance identifying locations to grow their businesses.
Participants that successfully complete the program will be awarded between $5,000 – $10,000 in seed capital to support their launch into a new facility.