Offered by: Heart of Quest
Duration: 12 Weeks
Target Audience: Young people and adults with little to no prior business experience
Delivery Mode: In-person or hybrid (with community-based support)
Tools Needed: Notebook, pen, smartphone (optional), access to a mentor or facilitator
Certification: Yes (on completion of assignments and final pitch)
🎯 Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the basics of entrepreneurship and identify personal strengths.
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Generate and evaluate simple business ideas.
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Understand customers and create simple marketing plans.
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Develop a basic business plan and financial estimate.
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Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and present a pitch.
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Explore income-generating activities suitable for low-resource settings.
🗓️ Weekly Breakdown
Month 1: Discovering the Entrepreneur in You
Week 1: What is Entrepreneurship?
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Types of entrepreneurs (small business, social, digital, etc.)
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Myths about starting a business
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Self-assessment: Are you an entrepreneur?
Week 2: Business Idea Generation
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How to spot opportunities around you
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Brainstorming & mind mapping
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Examples of successful businesses that started small
Week 3: Understanding Your Customers
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Who are your customers?
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Simple market research techniques
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Competitor check-up
Week 4: Business Blueprint
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Introduction to the Business Model Canvas (simplified)
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Value proposition: What problem do you solve?
Month 2: Planning and Prototyping
Week 5: Writing a Simple Business Plan
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What goes into a business plan?
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Writing your story in 100 words
Week 6: Money Matters
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Estimating startup costs
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Where does the money come from? (Personal savings, group support, NGOs, etc.)
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Keeping simple financial records
Week 7: Branding & Communication
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Choosing a name and slogan
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Creating a basic logo (with free tools)
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Social media basics (if relevant)
Week 8: Creating Your First Product
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MVP: Start small, start now!
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Simple prototyping and testing with friends or mentors
Month 3: Launching and Growing
Week 9: Selling with Confidence
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How to talk about your product/service
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Customer care tips
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Role-play: Sales conversation
Week 10: Growing without Stress
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Managing time, energy, and money
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Delegation, automation (for digital entrepreneurs), and teamwork
Week 11: Legal and Ethical Basics
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Naming and registering your business (if needed)
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Customer rights and business responsibilities
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Local permits and community rules
Week 12: Final Pitch & Graduation
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Presentation of business ideas to peers, mentors, and potential supporters
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Feedback and certificates
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Celebration and community sharing
📝 Assessment & Certification
Participants must:
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Attend at least 80% of sessions
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Complete weekly assignments
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Submit a 1-page business plan
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Deliver a 3–5 minute business pitch
🧰 Recommended Tools & Support
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Worksheets and templates (provided)
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Weekly peer feedback
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Access to a mentor or facilitator
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Business plan and pitch samples
🚀 Outcomes & Opportunities
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Start a small business or cooperative
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Join Heart of Quest incubation or mentorship support
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Linkages to microfinance or startup funding
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Join the Alumni Network of Entrepreneurs
