Groundwork Series I: From Vision to Viable Business

Description

Event is open to both Chamber members & Non-members

Not yet a Chamber member and interested in attending future events at the member rate and other exclusive opportunities for upskilling, networking, and more? Contact us here to learn more.

From Vision to Viable Business

A multi-part business education series designed to help entrepreneurs build strong business plans, clarify their marketing strategy, and develop the right team and systems for long-term successes. 

Attendees can sign up for all 3 sessions, or select an individual session only.  Each session will be held from 4-6 p.m. at Pursuit, 19 British American Boulevard East, Latham, NY 12110.

Session and/or Full Series fees are non-refundable. If for some reason you cannot attend, cancellation is not necessary.

Session 1: Laying the Foundation
Date: March 5, 2026

Every successful business starts with a solid foundation. Laying the Foundation is a hands-on business planning session designed to help entrepreneurs move from idea to intention—and from intention to action.

In this session, participants will break down the essential components of a strong business plan, gaining clarity around their mission, vision, target market, and value proposition. We’ll focus on translating big ideas into a clear, structured plan that can guide decision-making, support funding opportunities, and set the stage for sustainable growth.

Whether you are in the idea phase or already operating without a formal plan, this session will help you strengthen the backbone of your business and ensure your vision is built on something viable, realistic, and scalable.

Participants will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of the purpose and power of a business plan
• Key foundational elements needed for long-term sustainability
• Practical tools to begin (or refine) their own business plan
• Confidence in aligning their vision with real-world execution

This session is ideal for entrepreneurs who are ready to stop guessing and start building - with intention.

Session 2: Marketing With Intention
Date: April 2, 2026

Great ideas don’t sell themselves - clear, intentional marketing does. Marketing With Intention helps entrepreneurs move beyond random posting and inconsistent messaging and into strategic, purpose-driven marketing and branding.

This session focuses on building a brand that clearly communicates who you are, who you serve, and why your business matters. Participants will explore how to align their brand identity, messaging, and marketing channels with their business goals -so every touchpoint works with intention, not guesswork.

We’ll break down the fundamentals of branding, identify ideal customers, and discuss practical marketing strategies that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with where your business is right now.

Participants will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of management and leadership responsibilities
• Tools to define roles, workflows, and accountability
• Insight into when and how to build or expand a team
• Strategies for creating systems that support growth, not burnout

This session is ideal for entrepreneurs who are ready to lead with confidence, delegate with intention, and build a business that can grow without breaking.

Session 3: Organizing for Growth
Date: April 30, 2026

Growth without structure leads to burnout, confusion, and stalled momentum. Organizing for Growth is a management and team-building session designed to help entrepreneurs prepare their businesses for sustainable expansion.

This session focuses on the internal side of business growth—how to organize roles, responsibilities, and systems so the business can grow without relying on the owner to do everything. Participants will explore management fundamentals, team structure, workflow design, and how to build support systems that align with both current capacity and future goals.

We’ll discuss when to hire, what to outsource, and how to create clarity within a team—even if that team is currently just one person. The goal is to help entrepreneurs move from survival mode into intentional leadership.

Participants will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of management and leadership responsibilities
• Tools to define roles, workflows, and accountability
• Insight into when and how to build or expand a team
• Strategies for creating systems that support growth, not burnout

This session is ideal for entrepreneurs who are ready to lead with confidence, delegate with intention, and build a business that can grow without breaking.

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