Engagement Empowerment Entrepreneurship (E3) Academy provides direction through a comprehensive business development training curriculum designed for both, youth (grades 8th - 12th) and young adults. The E3 Academy gives participants the opportunity to learn how to start and operate their own businesses. This academy helps participants develop business ideas, learn basic business vocabulary, write business plans, discuss and practice marketing, pitch their business ideas to local leaders and investors, and learn ethical business practices needed to effectively engage their customers and communities. The Engagement Empowerment Entrepreneurship Academy introduces young and mature entrepreneurs to key aspects of business development, management, leadership, and communication.

The E3 Academy allows students the opportunity to network with local business leaders, create jobs, and launch their own, state licensed businesses. Partnerships with businesses and government provide mentoring and real-world leadership opportunities.

The E3 Academy covers five distinct business areas including:​

• Entrepreneurship 101
• Branding: Creating and Managing a Corporate Brand
• Writing A Business Plan
• Marketing for Small Business
• Kick-starting your Business with Crowdsourcing

MODULE I

Module I (Entrepreneurship 101) develops the groundwork for young entrepreneurs. This session begins by identifying the traits of an entrepreneur. Then, participants explore business ideas and how to expand those ideas into profitable business models. Identifying target markets and understanding types of business structures and ownership options are also a part of this session.

MODULE II

Module II (Writing a Business Plan) will provide participants essential steps in understanding and developing a business plan, including drafting the original document; identifying the audience; gathering information; researching; describing product plans; and marketing, sales, and accounting terms. Students will be able to:

• Research and analyze the individual components needed for a business plan
• Apply skills to create a business plan for different audiences, including investors, banks, and other stakeholders
• Explain the purpose and future of their own businesses in easy to understand terms
• Use accounting terms to describe the future for your business
• Describe your marketing, sales, and planning strategies

MODULE III

Module III (Marketing for Small Business) will introduce participants to marketing strategies and how to position their business within the marketplace. Small businesses don`t always have a big budget for marketing, so they have to do things a little differently than big business in order to grow their presence, increase results, and meet business goals. This session will help small business owners and managers develop their marketing message, create a marketing plan, and apply the right strategies.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the essential elements of a marketing plan, no matter the size of the business
• Apply tools and strategy to create a marketing plan that supports the growth of your small business
• Use six steps to create, implement, and review a marketing plan
• Leverage the best of Internet and social media marketing

MODULE IV

Module IV (Marketing for Small Business) will continue to explore marketing strategies. Participants will further explore TEN specific marketing strategies for success. Participants will learn how to get the most bang for their buck while establishing a marketing budget and developing a marketing plan using four proven techniques.

MODULE V

Module V (Writing a Business Plan) will explore, in more details, on how to develop financial projections. Participants will learn more of the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and key reports. Additionally, participants will begin to develop their own business plan using the resources provided. This session will provide hands on leadership which will empower each student to take charge of their business model.

MODULE VI

Module VI (Entrepreneurship 101) will introduce students to the idea of gathering funding for their business. They will explore the basics of financial statements while brainstorming additional funding options and solutions.

MODULE VII

Module VII (KickStarting Your Business with Crowdsourcing) will explore today’s fast-paced marketplace demands on business financial startup needs. Crowdsourcing can help all types of businesses keep on top of trends and stay competitive. This session will show participants how to leverage different types of crowdsourcing (including microwork, macrowork, crowdvoting, crowdcontests, crowdwisdom, and crowdfunding) to kickstart their own business’ growth.

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Define what crowdsourcing is and its value to businesses
• Determine when crowdsourcing makes sense for a project
• Describe the crowdsourcing process
• Identify platforms and social media tools that can support your crowdsourcing campaigns
• Describe the major types of crowdsourcing, including microwork, macrowork, crowdvoting, crowdcontests, crowdwisdom, and crowdfunding
• Attract and engage your crowd

MODULE VIII

Module VIII (Branding: Creating and Managing a Corporate Brand) introducing participants to the concept of branding. Your brand is the vehicle that propels your product or service into your customers’ lives, and into their hearts. A good brand is much more than an attractive image combined with some witty type. Your brand must reflect the heart and soul of your product, and offer a promise that you can live up to.

This session will get young entrepreneurs started on the road to creating a perfect brand. The first part of this session will cover the basics of branding, including how to develop a visual identity from start to finish. This session will also give participants some graphic design tips to help communicate expectations to a professional designer. The second part will focus on how to put their brand out there in the right way.

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define what a brand is (particularly a strong brand) and what branding is about
• Define various types of brand architecture and brand extension
• Identify your brand’s products, the features of those products, and their values
• Write a mission, vision, and style statement for a brand
• Describe the basics of positioning a brand
• Understand the basics of creating a visual identity, including a brand name, slogan, and logo
• Help your employees live the brand by empowering them to be ambassadors and creating strong brand touchpoints
• Effectively plan an internal and external brand launch
• Monitor and evaluate your brand, and understand how to respond to the results

MODULE IX

Module IX (Entrepreneurship 101) will discuss where the business will be located. Choosing the right location is crucial for success. Participants will learn which questions to ask while exploring the Pros and Cons of a Home-Based Business. Additionally, this session will discuss effective ways to launch the business and recruiting the right people.

Disclaimer: Regarding some of the pictures above: KLM Consulting Corps, Inc. was contracted to provided the E3 Academy (Engagement, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship) Curriculum for this event Parents For Public Schools of Jackson E3 (Engage Enlighten Employ) Interns.