Define Your Idea

Discover how to clearly articulate your business idea and the problem you are solving.

Understand Your Market

Learn how to identify your ideal customer, assess your competition, and validate demand.

Build Your Business Foundation

Develop your pricing, financials, and strategy to confidently move toward launch.

Key Program Details

Duration: 6 weeks Format: Live, cohort-based learning Cohort Size: 8–20 participants

About the Course

Steps to Start Up is a 6-week live, cohort-based course designed to help you move from idea to action. Through guided sessions, practical tools, and real-time support, you will build and validate your business idea step by step. In this course, you will develop a business model canvas, conduct market research to validate your idea, Test it on a small scale, and build a cash flow. Use practical tools and build confidence to lead with confidence. Take the first step towards becoming an entrepreneur For $599, you will access the 6-week cohort with your peers and 3 one-on-one coaching sessions of 45 minutes each. For $299, you will access the full course with your peers and one 45-minute coaching session. This cohort is open to a maximum of 20 participants.

Join live classes weekly, on Tuesdays at 1:00pm AST

 

Get connected with a network of leaders through peer-to peer learning opportunities

 

Gain personalized support through one-on one coaching sessions

 

Meet Your Instructor Lisa

Hi! I'm your instructor and coach Lisa Lowthers. I've been a business trainer and coach for over 25 years and have been supporting non-profits for 20 of those years. I am both a business and social entrepreneur, with a small training company focused on team building, and being the founding Board Chair of a social enterprise involved in food sovereignty. I'm excited to share my expertise and help you create impact everyday! Let's start this journey together!

Course Curriculum

6 Chapters · 27 Lessons

  1. 1

    Session 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Defining the Problem

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Business Model Canvas

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Book your coaching session

  2. 2

    Session 2 Finding Your Ideal Customer

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Identifying Your Ideal Customer

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      20/80 Rule and Target Market concept

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Conducting Market Research

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Developing Your Value Proposition

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Bonus Content - Interview Guide

  3. 3

    Session 3: Validating Your Business Idea

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Analysing the Competition

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Calculating Market Share

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      SWOT Analysis

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Start Up! - Evaluation!

  4. 4

    Session 4: Testing Your Idea

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Business Idea Assessment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Feasibility Assessment

  5. 5

    Session 5: Setting Prices and Building a Cash Flow

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Wholesale and Retail Pricing - PART 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Wholesale and Retail Pricing - PART 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Boss Budget

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Establishing Wholesale Price

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Projecting Sales

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Calculating Overhead Costs

  6. 6

    Session 6: Pitching Your Idea

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Standard Cashflow Template - Start Up!

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Breakeven - Fillable Worksheet

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Pitching Your Business Idea

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Getting Ready to Launch Checklist!

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Structure Shop - Selecting the Optimal Legal Structure for Social Enterprise

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Sales Pipeline - Worksheet

Ready to get started?

From idea to action. Understand your market, validate your concept, and build a business you can confidently move forward with.

Enroll Now

Testimonials: What our past participants are saying

"Participating in the Purposeful Group's Start Up program was an incredibly valuable experience while I was beginning a new position as the Manager of SABRI Innovation.  Lisa Lowthers created a supportive and engaging environment that made it easy to explore ideas, ask questions, and grow with confidence.  Her guidance was practical, encouraging, and always grounded in real-world application, which made a big difference for me settling into my new role of elevating other organizations and new business.  The program helped me clarify my direction and take meaningful steps forward.  I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to build or refine their business journey." ~ Terri Byrne, Manager, SABRI Innovation (St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. Newfoundland)

Delivered by The Purposeful Group

This course is brought to you by Purposeful Learning. Purposeful Learning provides unique learning paths to deepen understanding, foster connections, and broaden perspectives on sustainable impact with a diverse range of offerings from one-day webinars and immersive two-day sessions to online cohorts and community-based travel experiences. Every program encourages hands-on learning, collaborative exploration, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Participants gain the insights and skills needed to lead with purpose, connect with like-minded professionals, and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future. To learn more about our personalized training offerings, or to get started, connect us with at [email protected]