Market Research for Entrepreneurs

*Note: This is a 4-week workshop that meets once a week on Saturday.

In this class you will learn:

What market research is

Why market research is important

When to conduct market research

How to conduct market research

Practitioner tools for you and the professionals

June 8 Week 1-: Basic Market Research- Market research blends consumer behavior and economic trends to confirm and improve your business idea. It’s crucial to understand your consumer base from the outset. Market research lets you reduce risks even while your business is still just a gleam in your eye. Effective market research helps businesses make insight-driven, informed decisions when planning, launching, managing or growing your business.

June 15 Week 2: Secondary Market Research-The purpose of this session is to describe/explain in depth secondary market research tools. This class was created at the request of previous attendees and clients to learn how to use the tools described previously, including case studies.

June 22 Week 3: Primary Market Research-The purpose of this session is to describe/explain in depth primary research tools (focus groups and surveys). This class was created at the request of previous attendees and clients to learn how to use the tools described previously. You will leave understanding the appropriate way to use these tools.

June 29 Week 4: Team Presentations Market research enables business owners to ascertain the financial feasibility of a venture before committing substantial resources to its success…For this session—the class will be divided into groups, asked to research/present findings of the market & competitive positioning from one of the following:

Girl Scouts of America, Goodwill Industries, Tom’s, Warby Parker, The THX Company, Grameen Bank, Greyston, D. Light, Dispensary of Hope, Terra Cycle, Benetech, Nisolo

Instructor's Bio:

For the last 25 years, Debbie Goldfarb has owned a small consulting firm focusing on strategic planning, market research, training and providing marketing programs. Ms. Goldfarb is a well-respected marketing and branding consultant and has worked with small businesses (Posner Fine Art, Performance RX, Brody-Pennell) and large businesses (Capital One, Wells Fargo, Farmers Insurance) alike. She specializes in well-thought-out, researched multi-channel strategies to ensure ROI and brand strength.

In 2017, Debbie founded BCU Works as a small branding and consulting boutique shop located in Culver City. Under the BCU Works Banner—Debbie provides strategic brainpower and agency quality work "the bigs" get for "the smalls". Most recently Debbie joined SBDC (Small Business Development Center) as a Business Advisor to help small business owners start, launch, fund & manage their business.