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Proof to Profit: How to Avoid the Startup Loop of Despair

May 20 @ 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

$199

In this 3-part, virtual, training series, you’ll learn how to avoid a common pitfall of entrepreneurship—no customer, no business. You’ll validate your idea through customer discovery and ensure your business concept solves real problems for real, paying customers before investing a lot of time and money. 

Entrepreneurs often jump straight into building and branding their business, only to find themselves stuck in the Startup Loop of Despair—facing low sales or market indifference. In “Proof to Profit,” you’ll learn how to gather proof through interviews, surveys, observations, and small experiments. We tap into the wisdom of All in Startup by Diana Kander to learn the how to do customer discovery, prove your concept, and turn it into sustainable profit. 

This class is a prerequisite to StartSmart. 

Sr. Business Development Consultant, Joel Barrett, leads the course.  He is a serial entrepreneur and business owner. Since 2017, he has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs annually and taught a wide array of training sessions at the SBDC. 

Included with the class: 

  • A digital copy of All In Startup by Diana Kander 
  • Group discussion and coaching
  • Tools and resources to gather proof of concept 
  • One-on-one business coaching sessions 

Register here no later than May 16, 2025!

Session Dates:
May 20 – 3:00pm-6:00pm – Virtual
May 27 – 3:00pm-6:00pm – Virtual
June 3 – 3:00pm-6:00pm – Virtual

Details

Date:
May 20
Time:
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cost:
$199
Event Category:

Venue

Zoom

Organizer

Missouri SBDC at UMKC
Phone
816-235-6063
Email
sbdc@umkc.edu

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"Joel, I wanted to tell you how much our conversation helped me. Honestly, I was drowning and feeling very much incompetent to handle the work ahead. The things you shared with me changed my outlook. I have heard so many people tell me why it won't work. I know inside myself (selves if you ask my husband) it's going to. It has to. Now I know that if it gets dark again, which I know it will, I have a lifeline and you have no idea what that means as I have been doing this alone. Besides for that, your after work (?) 🧐 was awesome and I am so excited to dig in to them first thing in the morning. Thank you so much again, I look forward to becoming one of the stories of success you can share and helping others find the same thing myself. Have a great evening."

– Deona

"Full SBDC team- , I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your support. Your encouragement and support have been invaluable as I’ve navigated the challenges of growing my business successfully. Your dedication to fostering small business and enterprisers in Kansas City Community is truly inspiring!"

– NvisionKC owner Grace Ahn

"It was great meeting you Patricia!! You took excellent notes and gave us great advice we were already implementing into the rest of the day's conversations yesterday! We also have already started on some of this homework! PS I just checked out some of your YouTube videos and they are amazing!! You look like you are running an amazing business that really seems to come from the most caring and loving place! Thanks so much!"

– Melissa