Business Foundations

Small business entrepreneurs learn about marketing, finance, cash flow, and other business fundamentals.
Photo by Meta Mesdag

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Foundations I:  A six-week course that covers the core competencies needed to start a small business.

Foundations II:  A four-week advanced class building on your business skills, using your own business as the textbook.

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Foundations I
Get Your Business Started the Right Way
This popular six-week course covers the essentials needed to start a small business, and business plan requirements. Students learn about marketing, cash flow operations, business registration,  credit and everything else necessary in the first year of a business. Our interactive format empowers students to apply concepts learned in class directly to their business.

As part of the coursework, be prepared to analyze your competition, set pricing, focus group your product or service, and build confidence to turn your idea into reality. All classwork and homework contribute to completing your business plan.

Cost:  $150 (scholarships available)

2013 Sections (classes open for registration about one month prior)

  • Tuesdays 4PM - 7PM - June 4th to July 16th
  • West Side Foundations in Hillsboro - Wednesdays 4PM - 7PM - June 5th to July 17th
  • Saturdays 1PM - 4PM - June 8th to July 20th
  • Wednesdays Noon - 3PM - June 19th to July 31st - Coming Soon
  • Thursdays 4PM - 7PM - July 25th to Aug 29th - Coming Soon
  • Mondays 4PM - 7PM - Aug 5th to Sep 16th - Coming Soon
  • Wednesdays Noon - 3PM - Sep 11th to Oct 16th - Coming Soon


    • Start your business plan by learning how to…

  • Determine the appropriate legal status for your business
  • Obtain the correct licenses and permits.
  • Calculate start-up costs, unit of sale, profit margins,  break-even point, and pricing window
  • Forecast a 12-month cash-flow projection.
  • Analyze your competition.
  • Identify target markets and create a marketing plan.
  • Identify funding sources and write a strong business plan.

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    Foundations ll
    The Next Step to Growing Your Business

    Foundations II has finally arrived! Business Foundations II, a class designed for small business owners who have been in business for at least a year, helps take business owners to the next level in their business development.

    This four-week course will dive deeper into your business practices including goal setting, time management, developing a long-term marketing plan and strategy, pricing your product or service, hiring employees, and managing business finances, including cash flow projections, and profit and loss. Click here for Course Outline.

    Cost:  $200 (scholarships not available)

    2013 Open Sections: (classes open for registration about one month prior)

  • Tuesdays 4PM-7PM - July 16th to Aug 6th
  • Tuesdays 4PM-7PM - Oct 22nd to Nov 12th


    • Here are some of the questions you’ll be addressing:

  • Are you spending time on revenue producing areas of your business?
  • Do you have an accurate price, and does it match your target market?
  • Is your marketing strategy working, and how do you measure success?
  • Are you using your financial reports to make decisions?  What can they tell you?
  • Do you have short term goals for your business and what are your next steps to achieve them?


    • Enrollment Requirements:

  • One year P&L from your business
  • An updated, completed business plan
  • A commitment to grow your business to the next level

    • Mercy Corps Northwest hosts the only Women’s Business Center in Oregon, providing funds and other resources to help entrepreneurs become self-sufficient.

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    What other students say

    I really grew my vision and my own confidence as an entrepreneur in this class. I walked in quite fearful of how much work it was going to take to start my business. I walked out with so much knowledge and a clear understanding of what I need to do. I am so grateful to have found Mercy Corps Northwest, and I will definitely be staying in touch to do more. Excellent!

    I appreciate that the class was so engaging. If all my instructors in school had been as helpful and enthusiastic, I would have done much better. I truly enjoyed this class and feel like I can succeed.

    The teachers were excellent, and the course was well-designed. I felt like my money and time were well spent.

    Cancellation Policy
    In order to receive a full refund, you must cancel your enrollment one week prior before the start of the Foundations class. No refunds will be issued within one week of the start date of the Foundations class.

    Need to make up a class?
    Please be aware that you cannot miss more than two classes of Foundations 1. If you miss two or fewer, you may make them up by finding an open course.