Opening a business has several advantages:

• Legal and tax advantages – Businesses can own property and protect you from liabilities. Many expenses can be deducted that are related to your business, but are also used in your personal life. We are not the experts on that, but we know it to be true!
• Funding opportunities – Businesses often are offered loans or grants to do certain activities. Use someone else’s money to follow your dream!
• Self-fulfillment – The core of starting and running your own business is IT’S YOUR BUSINESS. You are the boss and set the rules. And it is truly the best school you can ever enroll in.

• Start-Up – Businesses that are in year 0 that are honing their offering of goods and services developing processes and systems. Establishing the foundation for the enterprise.
• Development – Businesses that are in years 1-3 that are refining and improving goods, services, processes, and systems. Sharpening the iron, so to speak.
• Growth – Businesses that are beyond year 3 with opportunities to expand. Your company has struck gold! And you want to go bigger!

Dissolution would be the fourth, but we want to build businesses, not destroy them!

Business Coaching Session: $129.00 (per session)

•  COMPLIMENTARY INITIAL CONSULTATION

The initial consultation with The CommonWealth Initiative is FREE.   It provides an opportunity to get to know you and validate the business concept / idea.  This will help to identify common pitfalls and goals that will need solutions and a steady hand to achieve success.

The Business Coaching Session will allow CWI to develop a plan of action to tackle those  goals/pitfalls over the course of one or more sessions.  CWI will provide you with a summary report that provides an  analysis of any issues / pitfalls and how to resolve them.  CWI will follow up with you within a month to check on progress.

*Web conferencing available – consultations may be in person (Chicagoland area) or virtually.

Smart Guidance Goals are tangible goals that follow the SMART principles that CWI will provide you guidance or a road map to help you achieve. Choose 1-2 Smart Guidance Goals from the categories listed below or provide customized goals:

•  BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND INCORPORATION

1. Brainstorming the business concept/idea to flush out mission/vision
2. Business setup and registration of your company
3. Filing of intellectual property e.g., trademarks, copyrights, patents

• ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

1. Identification of licenses, certifications, permits, etc. needed to pursue business and necessary application procedures
2. Development of manuals, processes and internal operations
3. Business hierarchy and/or organizational structure

• MARKETING

1. Marketing strategy
2. Logo, advertising and marketing material designs and concepts

•  FINANCIALS

1. Cash handling/bookkeeping procedures
2. Technical setup of electronic payments, banking, etc.

Business Coaching Plan:  $348.00 (3 month increment)

•  COMPLIMENTARY INITIAL CONSULTATION

The initial consultation with The CommonWealth Initiative is FREE.   It provides opportunity to get to know you and validate the business concept / idea.  This will help to identify common pitfalls and goals that will need solutions and a steady hand to achieve success.

The Business Coaching Session will allow you and CWI to develop a plan of action to tackle those  goals/pitfalls over the next two months under the guidance of CWI.

*Web conferencing available – consultations may be in person (Chicagoland area) or virtually.

Smart Guidance Goals are tangible goals that follow the SMART principles that CWI will provide you guidance or a road map to help you achieve. Choose 3-5 Smart Guidance Goals from the categories listed below or provide customized goals:

•  BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND INCORPORATION

1. Market and industry analysis to assess the viability of the business concept
2. Business setup and registration of your company
3. Filing of intellectual property e.g., trademarks, copyrights, patents

• ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

1. Development and implementation of human resources, compliance management, or business continuity policies
2. Identification of licenses, certifications, permits, etc. needed to pursue business and necessary application procedures
3. Business hierarchy and/or organizational structure

• MARKETING

1. Marketing strategy
2. Logo, advertising, and marketing material designs and concepts

•  FINANCIALS

1. Systems for accounting and bookkeeping
2. Technical setup of business accounts, e.g., banking, brokerage, etc.