This event is full
This training course is for entrepreneurs and covers all aspects of business. Delivered by Jay Silverberg, entrepreneur, trainer and published business author, Jay will share his success strategies.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, or you are already running your own business, this interactive program is designed to offer real-world advice for entrepreneurs of all levels. Daydreamers are welcome.
Taught by a successful entrepreneur/mentor who has also started and run several rewarding business ventures and has published five (5) business books through his New York publisher, Jay Silverberg is a down-to-earth, edgy entrepreneur with a love of sharing his business secrets and models for success.
“Hello I Am An Entrepreneur” is a twelve session, lunchtime program, delivered every two weeks between March 25, 2025 to September 16, 2025. Space is limited, so apply today.
Dates: Mar 25, Apr 8, Apr 23, May 20, Jun 3, Jun 17, Jul 8, Jul 22, Aug 12, Aug 26, Sept 9 and Sept 16 (12 sessions in total)
Registration required. For maximum benefit, we highly recommend selected registrants attending all sessions to receive the full benefit.
Please note: This program is a comprehensive course, not a series of lecture sessions. Due to high demand and limited availability, submitting a registration does not guarantee direct enrollment in the program.
To be considered for enrollment, one must complete the online Prescreening Form as requested by the presenter before the program starts. The presenter will review all submissions and select participants who are best suited to benefit from the program. Priority will be given to Coquitlam residents. Those selected will be notified by early March.
Selected Graduates who attend 80 %+ or full attendance of all sessions will receive the certificate and a complimentary six-month membership with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce (October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026). They will also be invited to attend the Chamber's free New Member Welcome Session on September 24th, 11am - noon. A special thank you to the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for their generous sponsorship.
More details coming soon on the program website.
Please note that registrants would need to complete and submit the Prescreening Form to jssynergy@gmail.com and jpeters@coqlibrary.ca
to be considered for enrollment before starting the program.
Here is the Prescreening Form : https://www.coqlibrary.ca/hello-i-am-an-entrepreneur
Course Overview
| Week | Topic | Description/Overview |
| 1 | Introduction and Program Review | Introductions all around. Program overview. Feedback from participants re their program expectations. Discussion on what business is all about. Pros and cons of being in business. Examples of startups. Select stories and video(s) reflecting business successes, visioning and goal setting, and fulfilling business dreams. |
| 2 | The Process of Starting and Launching a Business | There are a number of logical steps to research, plan, design and launch a business venture. It is worthwhile to look at this step-by-step process. This workshop will deliver a clear understanding of how to undertake and realize on your business idea(s). |
| 3 | Entrepreneurship Readiness | Entrepreneurship demands a certain mindset, commitment, focus and drive. Are you ready? Are you entrepreneur material? Let’s take an Entrepreneur Self-Assessment Quiz. |
| 4 | Making Sense of Your Business | Where do business ideas come from? How about yours? How do you know it will succeed? A business destined for success needs to exhibit certain key features. Before you draft your Business Plan, you would benefit from developing your Business Model, your Value Proposition (what sets you apart) and understand what others like banks and funders would be looking for too. Let’s run a Business Viability Test on your own business idea(s). |
| 5 | Business ‘Secrets’ | Insider advice based on experience. ‘How to’ and ‘how not to’ plan and run your venture. Explore concepts such as ‘WIIFM’ (what is in it for me), the Game of Business, positioning and packaging yourself, and more. |
| 6 | Meaningful Market Research | The core of any business is understanding your target audience, your market niche, your competition, your competitive advantage, and where your type of business is heading downstream. Learn the techniques of Meaningful, Useful Market Research that can impact your business decision-making. |
| 7 | Budgeting | Nobody really cares for it, but it is a critical component of planning your business. Learn about the easiest Budget/Forecasting Models, Break Even Analysis, Burn Rates and what your financial forecasts should reflect. |
| 8 | Your Business Plan | The components of a Business Plan are identified and explained. Learn the best way to package and present your most effective Business Plan and how to target your Plan to your audience, that is, who else might be reading your Plan (funders, banks, partners, etc.). |
| 9 | Funding Your Business | There are sources of funding, and techniques to appeal to those funders. This includes a discussion on partnerships and the use of options, strategies and the ‘honeymoon phase’ of getting others involved in your enterprise. |
| 10 | Marketing and Selling That Works | Marketing goes way beyond a logo. Learn about branding, and how to make the most of your creativity and small budgets. Think like your customers. See examples of effective marketing campaigns and the joy of highly edgy ‘guerilla marketing’. |
| 11 | Selling | Sales means generating Revenues, the lifeblood of any business. There are proven sales techniques, as well as proven ways to lose a sale. Learn about ‘Theatrics’ and role playing the salesperson you need to be. Design an Elevator Pitch’ to sell your ideas/products/services to others. |
| 12 | Putting It All Together | How and when to arrive at a ‘Go/No Go’ Decision about launching your business, and ‘where to from here’. Take an opportunity to deliver your Elevator Pitch to the group. |
Presenter Bios:
Jay Silverberg is a "business rebel" and start-up junkie who has started several successful businesses. As an entrepreneurial mentor, he has developed innovative programs and resources materials and has mentored hundreds of businesspeople, managers and business instructors. As a business consultant, his practice ranged from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms, with projects that have spanned the globe.
(Excerpts from Jay Silverberg's "The Start-up Junkie's Playbook: a 30-step plan to Launch Your Business" book)
Jay has also written and published five business books through his New York publisher.
Special Sponsorship Acknowledge and Thank You to Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
For general inquiries, please contact Shirley at schan@coqlibrary.ca
The City Centre branch offers:
Poirier Branch
575 Poirier Street
Coquitlam, BC
V3J 6A9
604-554-READ (7323)
City Centre Branch
1169 Pinetree Way
Coquitlam, BC
V3B 0Y1
604-554-READ (7323)
