KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Area Urban League, or KAUL, offers several programs to help entrepreneurs find success with their businesses.
Since 2014, the organization has been leading the CO.STARTERS program, which helps local business owners come up with a successful business plan over the span of 10 weeks.
"It is designed to help them be successful in planning and executing the launch of their business," KAUL Vice President Terrence Carter said. "So, we go through all the fundamental basics about knowing your customers, knowing your market, knowing your competition, what problem you're trying to solve."
Each year there are two cohorts, one in the spring and one in the fall. The Spring 2024 cohort just kicked off on Saturday, with new and existing business owners.
"I'm looking to start," Daleai Robinson, who is part of the 2024 cohort participant and the owner of Daleai's Custom Creations, said. "I started the business a few years ago, but it wasn't set up properly. So, this is a restart the correct way."
For 10 weeks, the participants will take a collaborative approach to problem-solving and building business models. Guest speakers also share their knowledge of how they found success in their businesses.
"It was a lot of knowledge," Robinson said. "You learned a lot about yourself on day one. It was a lot of learning about yourself and who you are."
Robinson says she's looking forward to the rest of the sessions.
"I'm excited about the class," Robinson said. "I'm excited to continue to go through the program. It's going to take some work on our part."
Carter says it's important to have this kind of program, to help people come up with a business plan.
"It's important because a lot of people got a lot of great ideas," Carter said. "They got a lot of creativity. And they can either produce a product or provide a service at a really high level. But that's one component."
If you'd like to join the fall 2024 cohort, the application is linked here. There is no application fee, but if you're accepted into the program, the fee is $250.