Distribution Series
Equipping small business owners with the skills, strategies, and confidence to grow through wholesale, e-commerce, storefronts, and pop-up channels.
Intro to
Wholesaling
Do you want your products on retail shelves? Does this process seem intimidating and complex? What do you need to know, and where do you start?
Dealing with retailers & distributors can be intimidating, complex, timely and expensive if you don't know what to look for or how to prepare. You typically get one chance to make a good first impression with a Buyer, so you need to make it count. This course is designed to help you prepare for your retail journey.
Study Hall: Wholesale Readiness Assessment
Wholesale
Wholesale Business Development Tools
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
You get one chance to make a good first impression. When pitching to retail Buyers and distributors, it is important to be prepared & professional with information they need. Learn how to structure and design key business development materials needed in the process.
Prerequisite: Intro To Wholesaling; Intro to Retail Promotions.
Study Hall: Exploring New Wholesale Accounts, Business Development Exercises
Wholesale
Driving E-commerce Conversion
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Driving traffic to an e-commerce site is just one aspect of the marketing and sale process. Next, we need to turn site visitors into paying customers. This course outlines the top ways to drive e-commerce conversion.
Prerequisite: Intro to E-commerce; Intro to E-commerce Shipping; Intro to E-commerce Marketing Strategy; Driving E-commerce Awareness
Study Hall: Drafting Product Descriptions, Site Audits, Driving Social Proof
E-commerce
Introduction to Storefronts
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Your business is growing and now you are considering a storefront location. This can be an amazing, yet pivotal decision.
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals, considerations & expectations of launching and operating a product-based, storefront business. You will understand how to prepare and become best equipped for this successful venture.
Study Hall Workshop: Choosing The Best Store Location.
Storefront
Intro to Wholesale
Distribution Partners
When should you use a retail Broker vs. a Distributor? How do you know if they are qualified? What are the different compensation structures?
There are many ways to get on store shelves, so having the right partners can save you time, money and stress. This course is designed to help you understand the partnership options.
Prerequisite: Intro to Wholesaling
Wholesale
Intro to
E-commerce
Whether you are a brick & mortar business that needs to be more competitive or a local brand looking to grow sales, you must understand e-commerce to be competitive in this environment.
Let us help you understand the basics of e-commerce so you can plan for success.
Study Hall: E-commerce Readiness Assessment.
E-commerce
Intro to Retail
Promotions
What marketing & promotional programs does a retailer want you to plan for? What are budget and store execution considerations of those promotions? What top mistakes should you avoid in this process?
This course provides insights to help you develop a strategy that is attractive to Buyers and helps maintain your space on retail shelves.
Prerequisites: Intro to Wholesaling
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Wholesale
Intro to E-commerce Shipping
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Shipping is such an important part of your e-commerce business. It impacts the price you charge to the customer experience you deliver. This course teaches the basics of planning & executing an effective e-commerce shipping strategy.
Prerequisite: Intro to E-commerce
Study Hall: Drafting A Shipping + Return Policy.
E-commerce
Intro to E-commerce Marketing Strategy
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Having a thoughtful approach to marketing your online store is required to compete in this market. But where do you start? This introductory course helps you understand how to translate the sales funnel framework to an effective e-commerce marketing strategy.
Prerequisite: Intro to E-commerce
Study Hall: Test + Learn Marketing Planning, Testing Paid Ads
E-commerce
Intro to Visual Merchandising
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Window displays, signage, fixtures, interior merchandising and store layout are used to influence customer behavior and drive sales and profits. It's where the creative and business worlds meet in retail. This course introduces you to proven visual merchandising strategies & principles that retailers use to drive business performance.
Prerequisite: Intro to Storefronts; Intro to Assortment Planning
Storefront
Intro to Pop-Up Markets
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
A great and flexible way to strategically grow your business is to participate in pop-up markets. Learn how to effectively plan and get the most out of these opportunities.
Prerequisite: Intro to Product Assortments.
Pop Ups
Strategy + Operations Series
Whether you're growing online, in retail, or both—and whether you're a new or experienced business owner, or part of their support team—this series lays the foundation for smart decision-making, strong infrastructure, and long-term success.
How can we grow what we don't measure? Understanding & planning your business financial statements can be a time-consuming & intimidating process, especially if you don't have this background. Learn the basics of a profit & loss statement and how it can help you make more profitable decisions.
Prerequisite: Intro to Costing Goods; Intro to Pricing Products
Study Hall Workshop: Intro to Forecasting
Intro to
Retail Math
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Learn the fundamental principles of forecasting sales, inventory, expenses, and profits to improve cash flow, inventory management, and profitability. Gain practical techniques, real-life insights, and essential tools to confidently apply forecasting in your business. If you are just getting started in this process, this course empowers you to make data-driven decisions for long-term success.
Prerequisite: Intro to Costing Of Goods; Intro to Product Pricing; Intro to Retail Math.
Intro to
Forecasting
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Your pricing strategy will not only impact what you sell, where you sell and to whom you sell to, but also how much money you bring into your business. This course walks you through a Simple Pricing Framework that help you determine your product's initial pricing and then outlines additional strategies to use as your business evolves.
Prerequisite: Intro to Costing Goods; Intro to Assortment Planning & Defining Your Unique Value.
Intro to Product
Pricing
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Do you need help understanding how much your product costs to produce?
These are VERY important numbers to know as it is the core to many business decisions. We will teach you how to approach this process in your business.
Study Hall Workshop: Calculating Your COGS
Intro to
Costing Goods
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Do you have too many products, or maybe not enough? How do you determine which products to keep, create and/or sell? This course outlines guidelines, information and processes that help you make the best assortment decisions for your business.
Prerequisite: Intro to Costing Of Goods; Intro to Product Pricing; Intro to Retail Math; Annual Planning; Defining Your Unique Value
Intro to Assortment Planning
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Ready to grow your team, but not sure where to start? This course lays the groundwork for building your first team with confidence. Learn who to hire first, how to delegate effectively, and how to create a structure that supports long-term success. From systems to strategy, we’ll help you shift from doing it all to leading with intention.
Intro to
Team Building
Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Intro to Value Stream Mapping
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Have you noticed that if certain problems or challenges with your business processes or operations were fixed, that you can save time, money and resources?
This course introduces you to principles and insights of Value Stream Mapping. It also provides an outline of a simple framework that helps identify opportunities next steps in operating a more efficient business.
Study Hall Workshop: Process Review + Assessment
Strategy + Ops
If you are ready to scale your distribution, then you need to be ready to scale your production. But, there are many options to consider.
Does it make sense for you to use a contract manufacturer (co-man), contract-packer (co-packer) or possibly a commercial kitchen. Let's explore and understand the roles and benefits of each.
Intro to Scaling Production
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
This workshop uses a framework to help you organize information and plan for a successful year ahead.
Study Hall Workshop: Annual Planning Preparation, Annual Plan Review and Refinement.
Annual Planning Workshop
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
With Q4 representing upwards of 40% of annual sales, it is important for product-based businesses to have a plan. This course outlines a framework for growing businesses that are strapped for time and resources and need to have a quick (60 -90 day) and focused holiday strategy.
Study Hall Workshop: Holiday Plan Review
Holiday Planning Workshop
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Intro to Paid Meta Ads
On Demand | Live Webinar
In this course you will learn how to strategize and create successful, high- performing paid advertising on the Facebook platform (includes Instagram as well).
Strategy + Ops
This workshop is for small business owners that need to understand how to use storytelling to connect and build trust with their customers.
Prerequisite: Defining Your Unique Value
*In collaboration with Definition Theatre
Intro
to Storytelling
Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Why should people buy from you? How can you position your business to be more attractive to retail buyers or customers?
The value you provide to the market may be deeper than you think. This is why it is critical to dedicate time to uncovering your true value as it is the core of all your customer marketing & communication messages.
Study Hall Workshop: Defining Core Customer, Drafting Elevator Pitch, Defining Your Unique Value
Defining Your Unique Value
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
Marketing
On A Budget
On Demand | Live Webinar
This course teaches you how to strategize and use various marketing tactics on a budget of $400, $4000, or $40,000.
*In Partnership with Wise Digital Marketing
Prerequisite: Intro to E-commerce Marketing Strategy
Strategy + Ops
Your business stands out, but does your brand show it? This course helps you turn your unique value into powerful brand messaging, product positioning, and customer experience. Learn how to connect your value to what you sell, so you can build a brand that grows with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Prerequisites: Defining Your Unique Value
Translating Unique Value Into Brand Growth
Live Webinar | Classroom
Strategy + Ops
On Demand | Live Webinar | Classroom
Just because everyone is talking about AI doesn't mean product-based businesses know how to use it effectively. This hands-on workshop is designed to demystify generative AI and show Makers how to leverage it to work smarter, not harder.
Explore practical AI applications that help small businesses streamline operations, boost productivity, and enhance customer engagement. Interactive exercises help them demystify this technology and use it confidently.
Getting Started With Generative AI
Strategy + Ops
Live Webinar | Classroom
Commerce moves fast, and businesses that adapt, win. This application series shows small businesses how to use AI to strengthen key parts of their business, based on their channel of distribution.
Learn practical ways to save time, sell smarter, and stay competitive with
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AI for Wholesale Businesses
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AI for E-commerce Businesses
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AI for Storefront Businesses
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AI for Pop-up Market Businesses
AI For Small Business
Distribution Series
Strategy + Ops
Live Webinar | Classroom
Harness AI to meet the unique needs of your product-based industry. This interactive series shows small businesses how to apply AI tools to boost efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth, all without needing a tech background. Stay competitive, innovate smarter, and future-proof your business.
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AI For Food + Beverage
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AI For Health + Beauty
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AI For Fashion + Accessories
AI For Product-Based Industries Series
Strategy + Ops
Live Webinar | Classroom
Transform how your business runs with the power of AI. This interactive series helps small businesses dig deeper into streamlining daily operations, strengthening internal processes, and improving decision-making in core operational departments. Learn how to work smarter, save time, and build a more agile, scalable business, without needing a tech background.
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AI for Marketing
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AI for Operations
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AI For Finance
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AI For Strategic Planning
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AI For HR + Team Building
AI For Operations
Series
Strategy + Ops
Growth + Innovation Series
Designed for growth-stage businesses, this advanced series guides entrepreneurs through strategic expansion, innovation-driven value creation, and business valuation- equipping them to scale sustainably, attract investment, and build long-term equity."
You started with passion and built a product, now it’s time to build a business that lasts. This course redefines innovation for small businesses and shows why it’s key to growth, profitability, and long-term success. We’ll debunk common myths, highlight how innovation adds value, and help you shift from product seller to standout business builder. Learn to think strategically, spot opportunities, and build a business that attracts customers, buyers, and investors.
Prerequisites: Defining Your Unique Value Course + Study Hall
Study Hall: Foundations of Innovation
Foundations of Innovation
Live Webinar | Classroom
Growth + Innovation
Apply what makes you different. Build what makes you valuable. Turn what makes your business unique into assets that drive real value. Learn how to strengthen your products, refine your brand, rethink your model, and build a business that scales.
Whether you're preparing for retail, funding, or a future sale, this course helps you grow with clarity and intention.
Prerequisites: Foundations of Innovation
Study Hall: Turning Innovation Into Assets
Turning Innovation Into Assets
Live Webinar | Classroom
Growth + Innovation
Curious about what your business is worth? This introductory course covers the fundamentals of business valuation and key factors that influence it. You'll learn simple strategies to calculate and increase your business value effectively. Whether you're planning to sell or just want to grow strategically, this session is the perfect starting point.
Prerequisites: Intro to Retail Math, Intro to Costing Goods, Intro to Pricing Products, Intro to Forecasting, Turning Innovation Into Assets
Intro to Business Valuation
Live Webinar | Classroom
Growth + Innovation
Every business needs an endgame, even if you're not ready to move on just yet. This course helps growth-stage entrepreneurs understand the range of exit options available.
Learn how your business model, goals, and long-term vision shape your best-fit strategy. Let us help you make smart, forward-looking decisions today that prepare your business for tomorrow.
Prerequisites: Turning Innovation Into Assets, Intro to Business Valuation
Intro to
Exit Strategies
Live Webinar | Classroom
Growth + Innovation
Ready to grow beyond just selling products? This course helps growth-stage entrepreneurs explore new business models and revenue streams with strategy, not guesswork. Learn why diversification matters, how to do it smartly, and what mistakes to avoid.
We’ll walk you through a practical framework to identify your best opportunities for growth, so you can build a more resilient, profitable, and scalable business.
Diversifying With Intention
Live Webinar | Classroom
Growth + Innovation
Scaling For Wholesale +
E-commerce Growth
Live Webinar | Classroom
There are branding considerations when selling into a wholesale account or online, where you do not have direct interaction or immediate responses to the customer.
This class outlines branding tips to help you feel more confident in successfully selling into these channels.
Prerequisite: Defining Your Unique Value
Study Hall Workshop: Project Briefing, Defining Brand