Business 102: Turn Your Dream into Action

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, this workshop will help you figure out where to start. You’ll begin to work through your ideas to see what’s possible and which steps to take first. Many people starting a business make the mistake of concentrating too much time and money on the wrong thing. In the end, they may waste precious resources while the most important elements remain unaddressed. This workshop will help you evaluate all of the elements involved in starting your business, help you identify which steps to take first, and which to take next. Consider taking this class before you make any long-term commitments like leases or loans.

Who should attend?

Anyone thinking of starting a business, who may have questions about how to do parts of it.

What will I learn?

The session will introduce the business model “Canvas” which will serve as the basic tool for developing an effective business plan. What to do first. If you don’t get your foundation set up right, well, you know the likely result. Doing this correctly, however, will enable your business to survive the twists and turns of an unforgiving marketplace. And even to thrive.

Cost: Free

Bonus: Participants will receive a link to access the recording of the webinar and the slide presentation via email a few days after the event.

About the Presenter

Meera Siva is an example of what is referred to as a “T” shaped career. Starting out as an electronics engineer in the Silicon Valley after a Masters in Computer Engineering, she designed high-speed processors and networking chips and systems. She transitioned to finance after earning a CFA charter and focused on private equity and early stage venture and angel investments. She also worked as a business journalist and managed a global impact fund for social enterprises at Habitat for Humanity. Siva is currently a part-time CEO of a nonprofit, consults for a deeptech VC firm and teaches entrepreneurship in Davis. She has been a SCORE Mentor since 2024.