Business Lab
No Nonsense Tools Your Business Needs to Flourish
Business Lab™ (formerly known as Startup Lab) is a fast-paced, interactive program of eight classes held over eight weeks, designed to help you create, refine, implement, and present your business. Business Lab™ for business helps you define the fundamental purpose of your business and the core value it offers to your customers. We cover the essentials of business strategy, finance and profitability, marketing and sales, business planning, and project implementation. to ensure that you have the tools you need to be successful!
Benefits of the Program
Business Lab™ for business is a collaborative program. You will work with the instructor and other participants to discuss your business and dive deeply into the components of your business. The instructor’s role is to help facilitate the discussion and offer insight, where helpful.
We also invite a number of community-based entrepreneurs to share their expertise and experience with either starting a business or supporting growing businesses. Guest speakers include business founders, service providers, working professionals, and all-around wise sages.
Business Lab™ offers an ideal setting for discovery, hands-on application of practical business tools, and the ability to clearly communicate the value of your product or service, and the benefits your business offers.
Who:
Business Lab™ for business is an opportunity for entrepreneurs like you to build the business of your dreams through a structured peer-learning process and a disciplined approach. Business Lab™ is for new entrepreneurs ready to put their idea to paper and evaluate its viability, and for existing entrepreneurs seeking to evaluate a new idea or apply a more structured systems approach to an ongoing enterprise.
What:
Hands-on exercises, learning tools, dialogue, access to seasoned entrepreneurs, accountability for completing a business case document and business case presentation, and building a peer network.
Why:
Business Lab™ provides proven, practical business tools and builds confidence — you are the future of our local economy — and increases your chances for success significantly. Use Business Lab™ to build the vehicle to carry your idea, product, and dreams forward.
When:
Eight class sessions over an eight-week period. Three hours of meeting time per class.
Where:
The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, Keene, NH
Program Components
(Class topics subject to change as needed to maximize the impact of the Business Lab™ experience)
Class 1
Introduction to Business Lab™
- Introductions & class overview
- Create mission, vision, and values
- Determine the right legal structure for your business
Class 2
Customers & Branding
- Create customer personas
- Define your market
- Establish the basics of brand: business name, logo, tagline
Class 3
Finances & Revenues
- Price your products/services using competitor info
- Build your revenue model
- Create revenue projections
Class 4
Costs & Profitability
- Determine your startup costs, COGS (cost of goods/services sold), and operating costs
- Create expenses & profitability projections
- Pitch practice: deliver your 3-minute pitch
Class 5
Essentials of Marketing & Sales
- Build your marketing toolkit: website, core messages, 90-day plan
- Choose your sales channels & methods
- Craft your ask in your pitch
Class 6
Getting it All Done & the Next 90 Days
- Learn project management skills
- Map out your next 90 days
Class 7
Business Case & Pitch and Entrepreneur Roundtable
- Turn in your completed business case
- Pitch practice: deliver your full pitch
- Talk with and learn from experienced entrepreneurs
Class 8
Pitch Event
- Pitch your business to friends, family, and community members
- Debrief and access your Business Lab experience
Testimonials
Em Dewey, Garden of the Moon
I gained so much clarity through our classes! I feel like I finally came back to remembering the REAL mission behind my business, and because of that, have felt reinvigorated to keep charging ahead.
Sarah Aborn, The Yin Lounge
I highly recommend business lab for anyone ready to actualize their dreams. This experience gave me the clarity and confidence I needed to bring my vision into the world in a grounded and practical way.
Danya Landis, Machina Arts
It was a huge benefit to start building a network and to carve out space each week to discover every part of my business I would need to dive deep into understanding. Creating a business is an exploration of your strengths and weaknesses — having a resource, network, and support is very crucial during this period of time. The Start-up lab provided this and so much more!Sarah Barkhouse, Vera Flora Farm
Startup Lab helped me clarify my mission and values so I can communicate that more clearly to my customers. And it helped me identify the next steps to reach my goals. It was a wonderful program! I am so grateful for the opportunity to take part. It’s helped me gain focus.Steve Roll, Rising Fellow
Startup Lab helped me to outline a plan for my business. Both the instructor and the rest of the class had a lot of questions and feedback for me, which helped to clarify my ideas about the business. Each meeting was interesting and engaging and we all learned a lot from a supportive group.
By the end of the Startup Lab program, I had an initial business plan to help me to move forward with starting my business. Soon after, I launched my first product and am making sales! It’s exciting to go from a business idea to a running, albeit very small, business that’s creating value for customers.Chris Dubriske, Lumen Mesh
Startup Lab was extremely beneficial in giving me a solid base to grow my business. The lessons taught by the instructors as well as the experiences shared by other business owners was eye-opening and helped to expand my point of view.Schedule, Cost, How to Apply
Is It Right for You?
You should apply if:
- You are passionate about your business and serious about making it successful
- You are motivated to take action and break through obstacles to grow your business
- You are ready and willing to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone
- You welcome constructive feedback so you can improve your business habits and practices
- You work collaboratively and recognize the benefit of sharing both success and failure to achieve success
Schedule
Where: Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, 25 Roxbury St. in Keene
When: Tuesdays, October 15 – December 1 at 5:00-8:00 PM. *There will be no class on November 26 due to the holiday week. The final pitch event on December 10th will run from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Applications are closed for the fall cohort. Please stay tuned for Spring 2025 dates.
Cost
The tuition for Business Lab is $700.
Tuition may be waived for qualifying applicants. More than 60% of Hannah Grimes clients qualify for a full scholarship. Hannah Grimes staff will let you know if you qualify during your intake appointment.
A non-refundable deposit ($100) is requested in advance of the class. The remaining cost of the class is due before the first day. Both may be paid online.
Application Process
- Please complete our New Client Form.
- Schedule a meeting with our Program Director to discuss fit for the Business Lab™.
- Complete a Business Lab™ application.
- Applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted before the start of the class to confirm program acceptance or schedule an additional interview, if necessary.
*As you complete each step in the application process, you will receive the link to complete the following step.