Essentials of Starting a Business

5-part in-person Workshop Series

Tuesdays April 14, 21, 28 and May 5, 19

5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

Stonehill College

320 Washington Street

North Easton, MA

Essentials of Starting a Business was developed as a series of workshops that build on each other to give you an effective model for launching your venture. A $35 fee covers all five sessions. You will get maximum benefit from attending the entire program.

Session 1 – Discovery

Tuesday, April 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

Our presenters will guide you through the crucial first steps in launching your business. Learn how to formalize your business idea and set realistic goals, determine whether you have the entrepreneurial mindset critical to success, create the all-important elevator pitch, and develop personas of your target customers. 

Session 2 – Validation

Tuesday, April 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

You’ve quantified your idea and your goals. But is your business feasible? We’ll show you how to research your target market to determine whether there’s an opportunity for your product or service. This session will also cover sales and marketing and teach you how to convert a lead into a sale!

Session 3 – Financial Matters

Tuesday, April 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

Your business can’t succeed without effective financial management. This session will cover the essentials of financial accounting, how to understand key financial statements, how to forecast revenue, and a path to building your business’s valuation.

Session 4 – Business Planning

Tuesday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

We’ll educate you on the many structures available for your new business (LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, and others) and how to determine which is right for your venture. This session also covers funding options, including an insider’s view of what lenders are looking for.

In addition, you’ll begin a two-week collaboration with a dedicated SCORE mentor who will guide you through developing an Investor Pitch. This critical document is the key to securing the funding you need to make your dream a reality. 

Session 5 – Investor Pitch

Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

During this session, you will present your Investor Pitch to your peers, giving you valuable practice for making your presentation to lenders and investors. You’ll also hear your classmates’ pitches to gain new ideas for refining your document.

Volunteer Season is Here!

Grow Food. Build Community. Make an Impact.

We are excited to announce the opening of our 2026 volunteer season, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the fields!

Join us to grow, tend, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables for neighbors experiencing hunger. Every volunteer visit helps bring healthy, locally grown produce to people in our community who may not otherwise have access to it.

Gather your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or community groups, and spend a morning outdoors getting your hands in the dirt while making a real impact.

Volunteers are welcome Monday through Saturday, May 5 through mid-October, from 9:00 AM to Noon (excluding holidays) at our Grafton farm. Volunteer scheduling at the Community Harvest Project apple orchard begins mid-summer — look for that announcement in June!

As an ALIVE-certified Service Enterprise, you can be confident your team will have a welcoming, well-organized volunteer experience.

BIS Red Flags Unpacked:

Understanding the Expanded Guidance, Managing Risk and Maintaining Compliance

Thursday, April 23 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Webinar

Compliance Clinic

(For Compliance Alliance Members Only!)

Thursday, April 30 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET | Online