This 10 week course guides the participants in the preparation of a strategic, action-oriented business plan, typically for the launch of a new business. It also gives them an orientation to business fundamentals and best business practices in the 21st century. Topics covered include marketing, operations, human resources, growth and finances. Participants will increase their knowledge about business in general and specifically about small and micro- business, as well as build a practical, workable business plan. Classes are highly interactive, combining presentation, class discussion, individual exercises, group work and guest speakers. The course, which typically consists of 21 days of classes over a 7 week period, as well as about 16 hours of individual consulting, is both accelerated and condensed, requiring participants to spend time during days out, evenings and weekends to complete homework exercises and prepare a business plan. The plan is submitted in multiple stages and is reviewed thoroughly by a business plan coach. Recommendations are made to the participants during the one-on-one consultations. When the plan is complete it is reviewed by a 3 person team of consultants and final recommendations are presented to the clients. The classes are typically made up of an extremely heterogeneous group, with a wide variety of educational backgrounds, work experience and business knowledge. In a given class there could be a participant who is almost illiterate as well as someone who has completed a PhD. We have had participants with absolutely no business knowledge take the course, alongside participants who have themselves taught business courses. Though in general the level of the material and discussion would be comparable to what would be encountered in college or university, each participant is treated, as much as possible, according to his/her needs and skill level. All participants benefit from the knowledge shared, the thinking encouraged and the experience gained from listening to the instructors and from forming bonds with the other members of the class. 7 week course