Smart Start Academy

Smart Strategies. Strong Foundations. Successful Businesses

Smart Start Academy

Hosted by the Winston-Salem Women's Business Center (WSWBC) and sponsored by Truist Foundation.

Are you ready to take your business idea or early-stage venture to the next level?

Smart Start Academy is a 7-session, cohort-based training program designed to help both aspiring and established entrepreneurs build a solid foundation for launching or growing their business.

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Throughout the program, you will:

• Conduct market and industry research
• Develop customer personas and competitor analyses
• Create a one-page business plan
• Build a sales and marketing strategy
• Explore and complete key financial documents
• Develop a compelling pitch deck for funders or investors
• Grow your network by engaging with lawyers, accountants, marketing professionals, bankers, and fellow entrepreneurs

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Location & Format:

We know you're busy, so to increase flexibility, the Academy is delievered in a hybrid format. You may choose to attend the weekly recap sessions virtually or in-person - whichever works best for you.

• If attending virtually, we ask that your camera remains on and that you actively participate throughout the session to maintain an engaging and collaborative environment.
• If attending in-person, please enter the Enterprise Center (1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27107) through the Wilbut St. entrance and check in with the receptionist.

Each week, participants will:

• Review curated digital resources and complete independent work on their own schedule.
• Attend a live recap session to deepen their understanding, apply key concepts, and hear from guest experts. Recap sessions will occur on Tuesdays OR Thursdays, depending on your cohort.

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Incentives for Completion:

• Participants who attend all sessions and submit all required assignments by posted deadlines are eligible to receive a $500 prize to support their business
• Academy graduates are also eligible to participate in exclusive quarterly networking events and pitch competitions hosted by the Winston-Salem Women’s Business Center

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Who Should Attend:

• Early-stage entrepreneurs ready to validate their ideas
• Existing business owners looking to build stronger foundations
• Anyone interested in turning a side hustle into a full-fledged venture

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Important Registration Note:

When selecting a start date, please remember that you are registering for a full 7-week program that meets once a week on the same day and time each week.

• Register for only ONE cohort to avoid scheduling conflicts or duplicate enrollments.
• You may register for one seat per order only.
• Be sure to answer ALL questions on the “Your organizer needs more details” page during registration. Your registration is not complete until you click the "Complete Order" button. Incomplete responses will result in your ticket being canceled and will require you to register again!

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Questions?

Feel free to reach out to our team at info@wbcwinstonsalem.org.