SOKONI
E-commerce Learning Laboratory
E-commerce Development Program
SOKONI E-commerce Learning Laboratory helps women & minority-owned entrepreneurs reduce the time, barriers, & burdens of growing an online business.
The SOKONI E-commerce Learning Laboratory builds product-based entrepreneur's e-commerce muscle so they can operate profitable, sustainable and scalable online businesses.
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We use our e-commerce marketplace + 37 Oaks University courses + 1:1 coaching to help women & minority-owned business owners get the kinks out of their marketing, & operations before investing their own time, money and resources into scaling.
To deliver this program, we partner public & private organizations that drive economic development by investing in small business owners.
Small Business Profile
SOKONI E-commerce Learning Laboratory is for women & minority-owned businesses that are stuck in online growth & haven't seen the progress they know they can make.
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No e-commerce site or a stale e-commerce site.
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Current e-commerce site but wants to grow into online marketplaces.
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At least 12 months of business sales, digital marketing & selling experience.
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Less than $50K of online sales.
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Committed to significant online growth within 12 months.​
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Packaged, shelf-stable, consumer goods that can be mass produced.
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Food, beverage, fashion, beauty, books, art, etc
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Food & beverages must be prepared & packaged in a licensed facility. No CBD, alcohol or tobacco. No resellers.
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3 month membership
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Administrative: Item set up & maintenance
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Collaborative marketing support
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Ecommerce promotion management
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Customer service
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Coaching
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Order & fulfillment management *
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Product photography *
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37 Oaks University Ecommerce + Strategy & Innovation Courses
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Intro to Ecommerce
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Intro to Ecommerce Shipping Strategies
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Intro to Ecommerce Marketing
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Elective Course
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SOKONI
E-COMMERCE LEARNING LABORATORY INCLUDES
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37 Oaks University live courses & workshops
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Course notes, pre-work & quizzes
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37 Oaks University On Demand courses
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​1:1 coaching sessions
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Peer workshops & collaborations
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37 Oaks Community membership
- SOKONI E-commerce Marketplace ( SOKONIshop.com)​
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Product warehousing
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Order & fulfillment management
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Transaction management
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Collaborative marketing support
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Item set up & maintenance
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Customer service
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Price promotion management
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Product Photography
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* Some limitations may apply
Program Outcomes
TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, SOKONI IS MORE THAN A PLACE TO SELL PRODUCT.
How does our programming help "unstick" e-commerce growth?
India & Lamont Russell, Everythang Sauce
SOKONI E-commerce Holiday 2021
Program Sponsors: Accion Opportunity Fund + FedEx (via FedEx E-commerce Learning Lab)
Lauren Curges, Shimmer N Shine
SOKONI E-commerce Holiday 2021
Program Sponsors: Accion Opportunity Fund + FedEx (via FedEx E-commerce Learning Lab)
Taquisha Jallah, Hair Love LLC
SOKONI E-commerce Holiday 2021
Program Sponsors: Accion Opportunity Fund + FedEx (via FedEx E-commerce Learning Lab)
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Create a blueprint to take online business to next level.
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Understand financial impact of business decisions.
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Learn how & where to structure e-commerce business.
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Get tools & resources to work smarter and not harder.
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Design a user-friendly, customer-centric online store.
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Define or narrow online target customer.
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Define brand positioning in an online marketplace.
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Adjust online product selection to maximize sales.
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Adjust shipping strategy, prices, policy & packaging.
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Learn marketing tactics to drive traffic & sales.
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Understand impact of marketing & promotions on sales.
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Manage inventory, production, marketing & pricing when selling in a marketplace and/or multiple online stores.
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Understand pros, cons & expectations of selling on different online channels.
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Make a profit.
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Create a design brief to inform outsourced roles.
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Not feel overwhelmed with growing an online business.
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Impact of planning & consistency.
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Impact of being intentional & thoughtful.
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Learn how to focus & prioritize.
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Refine business model & strategies.
Current Programs
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Chicago's E-commerce Learning Lab
Chicago Only
FedEx E-commerce Learning Lab
Nationwide
Previous Programs
FedEx + Accion Opportunity Fund
Nationwide
USC Columbia Technology Incubatory + Wells Fargo
Columbia, SC
SBDC Illinois + Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Chicago, Illinois
Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce
Chicago, Illinois
Quad Communities Development Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
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