The East Portland Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce this new series!
On first Wednesdays this year, instead of our normal AM member meeting, we will host a business education series in the afternoon. We will start with a 3 part series about crafting or re-crafting a business plan, instructed by Ben Nolte.
This program is offered free to EPCC Members. For those that are not yet members of EPCC, the cost is $270 AND includes your membership for 3-12 months depending on your business size.* (Our membership dues are based on how many employees you have.) Business owners, new and established, are invited to join us for all 3 of these classes – February 5, March 5, and April 2. Those that complete all 6 modules of this course will receive an EPCC Education Certificate.
Each of the 3 classes will cover 2 of 6 modules. In February, we will start by reviewing an overview about business plans, as well as setting up your company overview. In March, we will dive into polishing your product/service offerings, and go over marketing and sales strategies. Finally, in April, we will discuss management plans as well as financial basics.
*Ask us about scholarships - info@eastportlandchamber.com.
Course Objectives:
- Understand the 5 main components of a winning business plan: 1) Company Overview, 2) Product & Service, 3) Sales & Marketing Strategy, 4) Management Team, 5) Financial Summary & Offering.
- Establish a clear company identity and strategic direction.
- Develop a value-driven product or service offering.
- Build a robust, data-driven marketing strategy.
- Develop a leadership and financial roadmap.
Program Highlights:
- Integrated Learning: Each module builds directly into a comprehensive business plan.
- Expert Insights: Interactive workshops led by industry professionals.
- Capstone: Write your completed business plan with the tools and insights learned.
We are so grateful to EPCC Board Member, Ben Nolte, for leading these workshops and sharing his expertise and experience with us. Ben has an extensive list of accolades in the business world including being a finalist in the two business plan competitions - Grow America and Opportunity Quest Business, and won the mission/vision statement competition in BusinessQ Magazine. Ben has written multiple business plans in travel, outdoors, non-profit, construction, and entertainment industries. He is currently the owner of Addventure Center and entertainer for Whistle & Fish.
April 2 Details
Module 5: Management Plan
- Identify key executive team, management team, strategic partnerships, and board of directors (with bios).
- Clearly identify the organizational chart and path of accountability.
- Identify personnel needs.
- Commitment statement (tied to core values, mission, and vision).
Module 6: Financial Summary & Offering
- Understand financial statements and projections: Income statement, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet.
- Company valuation.
- Understand the offering: Venture Capital, Angel investing, SBA Lending, Crowdfunding, etc.
Instructor Credentials:
Ben Nolte, MBA
- Finalist in Grow America and Opportunity Quest Business Plan Competitions.
- Raised seed/grant capital through the Center of Excellence.
- Won the mission/vision statement competition in BusinessQ Magazine.
- Wrote multiple business plans in travel, outdoors, non-profit, construction, and entertainment industries.
- Earned an MBA through the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business and was an analyst at the university’s Lassonde New Venture Development Center.
- Earned BS/MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering at BYU. Minor in mathematics and engineering management.
- Former GM of Fibernet: Used discounted cash flow and market comp valuation tools to value the company, which sold in 2021/2022.
- International Development instructor/presenter at NGO Conference as president of Adventure Giving.
- Developed a ‘1-Page Biz Plan’ model and helped/funded entrepreneurs in jungle riverside villages of the Amazon River in South America with micro-loans and micro-capital—adding ‘venture’ to one’s adventure.
- Owner of the Addventure® Center (www.AddVenture.center).
- Entertainer/Musician for Whistle & Fish (https://www.instagram.com/whistle.and.fish).
- Current member of OAME, EPAP, and MusicPortland.
- On the Board of Directors for the East Portland Chamber of Commerce and President of the Clark Skamania Flyfishers (and 501c3 Conservation nonprofit) (www.CSfly.net).
