Think Weekend

PLAN YOUR BUSINESS OWNERSHIP JOURNEY

Enjoy a weekend of inspiration, reflection, planning, and practical steps

Where do you go to learn how to start and run your own business? How about one of the most beautiful areas of the nation, Coeur d’Alene?

This is purely YOUR counsel and advisory time to do what YOU want to do. You’ll gain perspective on your next life step and will absolutely not be asked to sign up for any programs or hear any pitches about real estate training or MLM programs! You’ll receive a workbook for self-reflection as well as a framework for establishing your business and preparing for your best future.

How it works:

You drive the agenda for what you’d like to accomplish. We’ll reference a workbook created just for you. You’ll spend mornings with your advisor and will have some reflection time in the evening. Take the pm hours to enjoy the serene Idaho setting or visit the bustling Mainstreet fun and seasonal activities. The materials are interactive and practical, not heavy reading. Fun is a must. Most often, we’ll meet at The Innovation Den in the heart of downtown CDA (+great coffee!)

Saturday 8am to 1pm:
Your best fit (universe). While you may not decide exactly what your future endeavor will be but you’ll be in the right universe (maybe even the right acre!) and will have a framework for deciding the rest. Example exercises include:

• What kind of business owner are you? What are your commitments in running a new business?

• What does success look like? What if it fails?

• What are the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur? Of a successful business?

• Start or Buy? Should you start a business from scratch, franchise, or buy an existing business and evolve it? How do you finance it?

• Evening reflection questions

Sunday 8am to 1pm:
Making it happen. Saturday gave you the inspiration and Sunday you make it real! True entrepreneurs tend to gather “just enough” information without getting too bogged down, so the workbook reflects this. This is not a course for deeply detail-oriented individuals. You’ll see many “Top 3” or “Most important” lists in this workbook along with specific references to where to go and who to know.

• Setting up the business. The 3Ps: Principles, People, Priorities

• Break-even analysis. What’s the worst (and best) that could happen?

• The GOOP measurement system: Growth, Opportunity, Operations, and People metrics that matter most. These are similar best practices that public companies use in their annual reports, applied to private businesses.

• Evening: Assemble your team

The outcome of this weekend is practical knowledge you can use right away for less money and time than a college course. You can get your book smarts from a book, right?

What it costs:

The 2-day weekend is $3000 for a dedicated advisor (this can include partners in a single effort). Two separate parties can attend together for $4000 ($2000 ea). If you don’t know someone you’d like to attend with, a non-competitive peer can be matched with you.

Travel expenses are yours, so you can decide how extravagant or affordable you want your experience to be. Discounts are available through Paulson Exchange.

If you’re not satisfied, we’ll refund your money.

Why Paulson Exchange:

Confidentiality:

Led by Kris Fuehr, co-founder of the UW Center for Entrepreneurship; business owner; business broker; marketing consultant; co-winner of Startup Weekend|Redmond, and selected for Shark Tank, Kris’ forever advocacy of entrepreneurs and partners (via Microsoft) has led to an assortment of practical guidance that has been compiled over decades and can bring focus to your plans.

Throughout the process, you’ll have the confidentiality of your advisor. A mutual non-disclosure agreement is signed so both parties have a safe place to share ideas and discuss proprietary information.

Coeur' d’Alene (or “CDA” so you don’t have to spell it), is a vacation destination, college town, and center of innovation in the inland Northwest. The name translates as ‘heart of an awl’ (awl, like an icepick, but you already knew that) from the craft skills of the tribe that originally lived in the area. Tap into the inspiration and creative spirit of the area to build your future.

Coeur d’Alene Travel & Events:
Silverwood Theme Park (Must see!)

Downtown Coeur d’Alene Accommodations
(Check out CDA Resort)

Coeur d’Alene Event Calendar