Jan
27
What Would a Solopreneurism 101 Course Look Like?
Have you ever said: “I wish there had been an entrepreneurism class when I was in school”?
It’s a comment that I hear frequently from solopreneurs of varied educational backgrounds, including liberal-arts graduates, law-school grads, tech-school grads, and even people who studied ministry.
I’ve even been told by colleagues that I should build a Solopreneurism 101 course. I think it’s an intriguing — yet daunting — idea; I would have to invest a huge amount of time and energy in building the course, and I’m not yet convinced that people REALLY want something like this.
For now, I need your opinion: what subjects would you want covered in a Solopreneurism 101 course?
Please leave your comments below or send me an email with your thoughts.
Finally, here’s a quote from Dennis Ray, “Liberal Arts for Entrepreneurs”:
A liberal arts education might be viewed as a metaphor for entrepreneurship. The humanities suggest that the entrepreneur is an artist. History might see entrepreneurs as the true revolutionaries of technological, economic, and social change. A liberal arts education is rich in metaphors that are capable of capturing the multifaceted life of an entrepreneur. A course in film or the theatre might suggest that the entrepreneur is a stage or film director, while a course in physical education might reveal the entrepreneur as a coach…Undergraduate entrepreneurship education should not be viewed as a narrow careerist pursuit, but as giving new life to the traditions of a liberal arts education.
Welcome back. If you want help in reaching your solo-business dream, consider coachsulting.
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Comments
This is a great idea; an idea for the Uncollege folks – the young people who want to learn the skills and create the network to allow them to 1) generate income, 2) be resilient in the economy, 3) put their talents and intelligences in the world, 4) capitalize something for their future retirement, etc… Yes, I have ideas about this. I’ll send you an email.
Hey Larry,
I mentioned a few points on twitter, but I thought it’d be worth commenting again. First, I think this is an EXCELLENT idea. Second, I’d love to help make it happen if you think having a writer help out would be beneficial.
Hi Derek and Melissa, I appreciate your thoughts.
Suggested subject areas for a Solopreneurism 101 course: 1. The importance of having an advisory group, how to go about setting one up and who (i.e. skills and experience) should be on it. 2. A basic marketing plan template.
Great idea, BTW.
I’d be interested in a course that focuses on specific tactics for identifying a market and finding the first five customers.
Hi Geoff and Kerry: thank you for your input!
Hi Larry,
I think this course could be helpful. There are certainly a few different directions you could go depending on your primary audience:
-young people out of HS or college
-Retired baby boomers–some might have been former execs who have skills and want to start a business for something to do… but need help starting…Other boomers just want some secondary income.
-Others who have already started but need help in developing a sustainable firm that makes sales.
Once you’ve identified which of these audiences is best, then i think you’d be in great position to start crafting the product. I don’t think this shouldn’t be a course for “everybody”.
Rob
Hi Rob, thank you for the excellent advice. It’s tempting to try to create something for everybody…must…resist…temptation!
Intriguing idea, Larry! Would this be a live course or a virtual one? Modules might be a good way to present the class.
Monique
Hi Monique: at this point, I don’t know what form it would take. I will develop the content first, and then decide how it should be delivered.