CityU’s program is designed to teach you how to start, finance, develop, market and manage your business while avoiding common mistakes. You’ll learn from experienced professionals who have started and owned businesses, as well as seasoned business managers skilled in the key areas of finance, operations, marketing and human resources. This ensures you receive practical instruction that is relevant and immediately applicable in the real world—where it matters most. Courses are offered in-class and online—providing you with maximum flexibility and convenience.

Our program is approved by the Washington State Employment Security Department, which means you may qualify to collect unemployment benefits while you receive entrepreneurial training and business counseling.

We understand that no two businesses or professional service offerings evolve the same way. You are unique and so are your business circumstances. However, there are some general business patterns and methods formed over thousands of years that have proven to be effective. Our SEAP program incorporates this knowledge, providing you with the skills you need to get started and maintain your business effectively.

The program features four components: seminars, business counseling, technical assistance, and assessment.

The seminar core consists of four programs of three hours each. You may attend these seminars online or in person. Upon completion of this segment, you will be able to define, plan and implement your small business or professional services offering.

• Seminar 1 - Foundations
  Topics covered include: your business idea; evaluating your idea; evaluating your personal readiness to start a business; legal issues; company description.
• Seminar 2 - The Market and Your Strategy
  Topics covered include: your product/service; your market; competitive analysis; barriers to entry; risks; marketing and sales.
• Seminar 3 - Operations
  Topics covered include: facilities; finance; production/delivery; professional services; the back office.
• Seminar 4 - Execution
  Topics covered include: start-up costs; key employees; start-up schedule; priorities and business goals.

We’ll help you plan, organize, coordinate, control and direct your business plan and launch. If you’re seeking to establish a professional practice, we will provide general counseling that includes not only how to be successful professionally, but also issues of personal accounting, taxes and related issues.

Need help in a particular area? Throughout the program, you can request the opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts in finance, marketing, sales, operations, business law, human resources, communications, etc.

Before beginning the program, you will complete an online self-assessment entry survey designed to help you identify critical issues involved in starting a business or working as an independent contractor.

Upon conclusion of the program, you will be provided access to an online review checklist and self audit exit survey that outlines all the issues you need to address as you begin your business. This instrument will serve as a helpful guide, keeping you on track as your business planning process continues.

For more information, including fees, please contact Charles L. Roxin.