Progress

As the CLIMB program moves into the seventh week I have learned several things.

1) Writing a complete business plan is not easy.
2) Only dedicated and passionate individuals can complete the CLIMB course.
3) Being your own boss is not as easy or carefree as it sounds.
4) Marketing strategy can make or break a start-up business.

The CLIMB program gives individuals a very complete, step-by-step process to writing a business plan. As the course has progressed the material becomes more difficult and more detailed. Each section builds on the previous one and the business plan really starts to come together.

Unfortunately as things become more challenging the number of students who attend the course decreases. Although this may seem discouraging, I believe it actually helps illustrates how the course really does work.

Those people who do not complete the course usually discover that opening a small business is not for them. Either the timing was not right or they realized that it was much more work than they ever dreamed. This education prevents them from obtaining a loan or investing time and money in a business that eventually fails down the road.

Those people remaining in the course really posses the entrepreneurial spirit that any small business owner must have. Their drive and determination is evident by the way they approach the difficult assignments that are required to graduate from the CLIMB program. The group works as a team to help one another whenever possible. This strong group mentality has helped each individual persevere and continue their pursuit of business ownership.