Launch and Grow: Entrepreneurship Essentials
This no-cost, on-campus program introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, helping them explore what it takes to start and sustain a successful small business. Over four weeks, participants will learn how business ideas take shape, what lenders look for, how to turn a concept into a workable plan, and how local entrepreneurs have built thriving businesses in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The course is designed to inspire confidence, build practical skills, and show students that entrepreneurship is an attainable path.
Sessions
Session 1 – The Myths and Facts of Starting Your Own Business
This session breaks down the most common misconceptions about becoming an entrepreneur. Students will learn what starting a business truly involves, including realistic expectations around time, money, risk, and effort. The goal is to replace myths with clarity so participants feel informed, not intimidated about the entrepreneurial journey.
Session 2 – The 5 C’s of Credit: What Lenders Are Really Looking For
Students will be introduced to the key factors lenders evaluate when considering a business loan: Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions. This session helps students understand how creditworthiness is assessed, why each “C” matters, and what steps they can take to strengthen their financial readiness for future business opportunities.
Session 3 – Business Model Canvas: Get the Ideas Out of Your Head
In this hands-on workshop, participants will use the Business Model Canvas to map out the core components of a business idea, from customer segments to revenue streams. This session helps students turn early ideas into a visual, actionable framework and encourages creative thinking about how a business delivers value.
Session 4 – Small Business Success in the Eastern Upper Peninsula
This final session highlights real-world entrepreneurship close to home. Students will explore examples of successful small businesses in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, learn what contributed to their growth, and gain insight into the local economic landscape. The session is meant to inspire and show that opportunities to innovate and thrive exist right within their community.
Session Information
Session Dates/Times
January 20, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
January 27, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
February 3, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
February 10, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Location
Building: Walker Cisler Student & Conference Center at LSSU.
Room: The Davis Room (lower level of the Cisler Center, room 106).
Guest Speaker
Mariah Goos – Michigan SBDC Business Consultant
About Mariah:
Mariah’s ability to connect with people has fueled her career choices in fields ranging from tourism-marketing to economic planning. Her ability to form meaningful relationships and bring people together has created a strong regional network throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Throughout her professional experience of over twenty-five years, Mariah has come to appreciate that small businesses are the backbone of the Upper Peninsula. Economic growth across the region cannot happen without building strong locally owned businesses.
Mariah earned a B.S. in Business Administration, Management, from Lake Superior State University providing her with the knowledge to succeed in her new role with the SBDC as a Business Consultant for Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties.
