How to Start a Business, Write a Business Plan & Finance a Business
share Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Stumble It More...

follow Follow on Facebook Follow on YouTube Follow on Twitter

spacer spacer spacer
Certificate Course: Login
spacer
spacer Start a business! An international nonprofit organization helping people succeed in business since 1992.

spacer
spacer spacer

spacer
spacer Yes, it really is free!
My Own Business, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to helping people succeed in business. The free courses are presented by successful business owners who point out the common, avoidable mistakes. My Own Business is the creation of philanthropist and founder Phil Holland.

Over 20 million visitors have made use of this information. According to the World Bank: "The high-quality interactive content from My Own Business has been instrumental to the success of the SME Toolkit across five continents." Learn more about the courses.
 

MOBI Announcements

NEW!
Saving You Money! - Need products or services? We've worked hard to bring you a whole list of useful Free Offers and Specially-Discounted products. Only for MOBI visitors.

NEW!
Course Textbook - Textbook versions of both courses are readily available including all sessions and templates.

Support My Own Business - Help us help small businesses. Support Us

spacer
 
Starting My Own Business

Entrepreneurial Education
The popular original course is designed for the entrepreneur who wants to start their own business. Our 15 sessions cover the most important topics that are clearly explained with emphasis on avoiding pitfalls.

spacer  
new Building My Own Business

Advanced Business Growth
This new course is for established business owners to help take your business to the next level. Strengthen your operations, seize opportunities and plan for the future.

Take the Start My Own Business Course Take the Build My Own Business Course

spacer
Starting My Own Business
Session Topics

PART ONE: EVALUATING THE BUSINESS
1: Deciding on a business
2: The business plan (updated)
3: Home based businesses

PART TWO: BEFORE YOU START
4: Financing the business
5: Business organization
6: Licenses and permits
7: Business insurance
8: Communication tools
9: Buying a business or franchise

PART THREE: OPERATING PITFALLS
10: Location and leasing
11: Accounting and cash flow
12: E-Commerce
13: Opening and marketing
14: Managing employees
15: Expanding and handling problems

spacer Building My Own Business
Session Topics

PART ONE: MAKING READY FOR GROWTH
1: Getting financial controls in place
2: Getting your team in place
3: Customer feedback
4: Achieving lowest expenses
5: Develop negotiating skills

PART TWO: GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER
6: Alternatives for capital allocation
7: E-commerce
8: Growth by duplication
9: Vertical integration
10: Franchising your business
11: Global expansion
12: Buying businesses
13: Public ownership

PART THREE: EXIT STRATEGIES
14: Selling your business
15: Considerations for family succession

spacer Corporate Sponsors

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP Union Bank of California The World Bank sponsors

 
Teach the Course

Teach the MOBI courses in classrooms, seminars and workshops. Includes textbooks, a classroom guide and PowerPoint tools.

spacer