12-Week Self-Employment Basics Class
July 8 to Sept 23, 2026 — Classes Live on Zoom: Wednesdays at 10-11:30 am MDT
Welcome!
The 12-Week Self-Employment Basics Class curriculum offers a comprehensive program for aspiring entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on helping individuals with disabilities establish successful, sustainable businesses.
Module 1: “Understanding the Reality of Being an Entrepreneur", concentrates on building a foundational entrepreneurial mindset by discussing the realities of self-employment, identifying ideal business roles based on personal abilities (especially for those with disabilities), vetting potential business ideas against market needs, and researching competitors to inform strategy.
Module 2: "Customers, Competition, Marketing & Sales,” focuses on helping entrepreneurs build a professional brand and select marketing channels. Students create a strong value proposition and identify their target market and sales strategy. Direct customer interaction helps refine business models to achieve proof of concept.
Module 3: "Support Team, Legal Requirements & Financial Basics”, explores building a support network, ensuring legal and insurance compliance, and mastering financial literacy (including cost analysis, profit goals, and tax/retirement savings), and concludes with a comprehensive review to prepare for the business launch.
Below is the information for each class session, including lesson summaries. Access to weekly class materials will be provided as we progress. Additionally, you can find the Zoom link for each session week by week, available 30 minutes before the class begins.
Questions?
Please contact Amy Williams at 1-760-525-3113 or
selfemploymentbasics@gmail.com
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Watch the tutorial on how to navigate through the class and what to expect.
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Take a look at the week ahead and review your assignments, documents, and due dates.
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Make sure to check your email and sign the class agreement before the date of your first class session.
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Get a link to a folder with your assignments for the 12-week class.
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Learn about the format for the class and how to prepare for your first assignments.
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Take a look at the week ahead and review your assignments, documents, and due dates.
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Watch the tutorial on the assignment for Week 1: S.W.O.T. Analysis Worksheet.
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Watch the class video overview: The Solopreneur’s Equation.
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Assignment: Review PowerPoint
Review the PowerPoint presentation: Building a Business Block by Block
Review the PowerPoint presentation: Building a Business Block by Block
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Review the Successful Entrepreneurial Characteristics Handout
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Review the Successful Entrepreneurial Characteristics Handout
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Follow the link to join the first class.
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Take a look at the week ahead and review your assignments, documents, and due dates.
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Watch the tutorial on the assignment for Week 2: Ideal Roles for Me Worksheet.
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Review the Disability & Entrepreneurship Guide Handout in order to see potential roles that would fit well with you and your disability.
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After reviewing Handout 2: Disability & Entrepreneurship Guide, identify three entrepreneurial roles that are different from your current goals and would allow you to use your strengths. Complete the Ideal Roles for Me Worksheet.
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Follow the link to join the class.
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Take a look at the week ahead and review your assignments, documents, and due dates.
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Watch the tutorial on the assignment for Week 3: "Hair on Fire" Problems Worksheet.
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This video discusses the data and strategies behind successful entrepreneurship.
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Review and complete this week’s worksheet assignment to identify “hair-on-fire” problems.
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Follow the link to join the class.
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Take a look at the week ahead and review your assignments, documents, and due dates.
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Watch the tutorial on the assignment for Week 6: Choosing the Right Marketing Strategies Worksheet
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Review and complete this week’s spreadsheet assignment.
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Review and complete this week’s worksheet assignment.
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Follow the link to join the class.
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