Four Steps to Starting and Growing Your Business

At BOI, we've developed a four-step program to help you move forward from exploring business ideas to starting and growing a successful business. While we can't guarantee business success, we believe that if you go through our Four Steps program you will significantly increase your chances of starting or growing a winning business.

Our Four Steps program includes four workshops:

Smart Step 1 - Thinking About Launching a Business? Start Here

This free, one-hour workshop will outline an approach you can use to start your business and discuss the services BOI offers to support your efforts at every step.

Smart Step 2 - Exploring Business Ownership: Is Self-Employment For Me?

Have you thought about starting a business but are not sure if you have what it takes? Discover what makes some business owners and businesses successful.

Difference between wage employment and self employment?
What attributes are required to become a GREAT business owner?
What should I start to plan for if I want to own my business?
Am I prepared to be a small business owner?
What are my interests and abilities?
Why do some businesses fail?

There is no fee for this workshop.

Smart Step 3 - Exploring Business Ownership: What Makes For A Great Business Idea?

Need help in identifying the type of business to start? Match your talents and interests with business ideas and discover what makes a business idea viable.

Where do good business ideas come from?
Identify a business that is right for me?
How do I evaluate my business idea?
What makes a business profitable?
Will this sell in Indianapolis?
What is a targeted market? Why is this important to a profitable business idea?
What about competition?
How do I research my business idea?

There is no fee for this workshop.

Smart Step 4 - Business Beginnings - Launching and Growing Your Business

Do you have a business idea and are you ready to start your business? Would you like to develop the skills needed to operate your business? In our 20-hour Business Beginnings course you'll discover the ins and outs of operating a small business. If you already operate a small business the course will help you make it more successful. Completion of the Exploring Business Ownership workshops or referral from a business counselor is required to register for the Business Beginnings course.

Once you settle on a business opportunity, what business knowledge, skills and resources does it take to launch the business? We can help you discover what you will need to launch your business.