
CommerceUplift:
Empowering Brands to Scale & Grow
Let’s take your business to new heights!
We're dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and guiding them to grow and scale. The CommerceUplift Program, backed by BEFH’s solid record of product placements, business coaching successful outcomes, and proven Kauffman FastTrac curriculum provides the tools, knowledge, and mentorship necessary to grow your business and enhance your brand's presence. Join CommerceUplift to surpass barriers, achieve success, and contribute to generational wealth and legacy.
What to Expect:
In our 12-week journey, you'll be part of an entrepreneurial cohort, learning alongside seasoned facilitators and individuals well-versed in the start-up world. They'll share insights into the common challenges of launching a business.
Each week features sessions with our lead facilitator and a special guest expert. You'll benefit from regular accountability coaching calls and technical support to link you with vital resources for your business's expansion. Plus, gain perpetual access to our FastTrac® Toolkit online, a treasure trove of planning templates, step-by-step guides, instructional videos, and more. This course will be capped at 15 students to ensure quality.
Upon completing the program, you'll discern your business idea's profitability and possess a comprehensive plan to guide your journey or present to potential investors.
In our FastTrac® course, spanning ten modules, you will:
Immerse yourself in entrepreneurial principles and refine your business idea.
Investigate market demands and identify opportunities.
Establish financial objectives and estimate initial costs.
Enhance your research prowess, highlighting your offering's unique advantages.
Analyze market dynamics and craft a strategic marketing blueprint.
Forge a distinct business identity and devise marketing tactics.
Construct your team and comprehend various business structures.
Strategize for financial success, assess pricing, and gauge profit margins.
Master cash flow management and funding avenues.
Define and execute the crucial steps to kickstart your venture and finalize your business strategy.
As an affiliate of the Kauffman FastTrac® program, Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills proudly offers the Commerce Uplift Program. This 12-week program is designed for businesses that started without a plan, guiding you through essential steps to develop one.
IDEATE: Initiate your entrepreneurial journey, transforming your idea into a viable concept.
POSITION: Analyze the market, understand your customers, and establish your business model.
COMMIT: Engage with your market, secure your first sales, and safeguard your venture.
REFINE: Fine-tune your approach and ensure your financial groundwork is solid.
LAUNCH: Prepare to launch, lead, and expand your business effectively.
During your journey with the FastTrac Program, you will have access to a dedicated workspace on the FastTrac Portal, tailored for the cultivation and development of your business concepts and strategies. This workspace is segmented into four distinct areas, each equipped with specialized templates:
Business Plan: Craft the core components of your business, from marketing strategies to pricing models and beyond.
Business Model Canvas: Illustrate and explore your business idea, uncover new prospects, and devise or refine your business model.
Pitch: Formulate a clear, impactful narrative about your enterprise to engage friends, potential clients, investors, and the broader market.
Financial Forecast: Generate a financial projection to anticipate, monitor, and evaluate your business's growth over the next three years.
FAQ
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Commerce Uplift Program Schedule
2-hour Classes on Thursday Evenings
3-hour Marketing & Accounting Clinic - optional - bring your questions
Guest Speakers
Support Sessions will be announced after classes begin
Group Interviews
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at noon-12:45 p.m. and Thursday, May, 15th at 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Group Interviews will be conducted via zoom going over program outline, schedule, expectations and FAQs
Kickoff & Orientation
Thursday, June 5, 2025
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
BEFH Office
In-Person - Introductions, Syllabus Overview, Networking, PreCourse Survey
1st Class
Thursday, June 12 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Ideate: Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
2nd Class
Thursday, June 19 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Ideate: From Idea to Business Concept
3rd Class
Thursday, June 26, 2025 , 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Position: Market Research/ Business Model Design
Summer Week Break
Week of June 30, 2025
4th Class
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., In-person at BEFH Office
Position: Pricing Strategy/ Legal Strategy/Business Exits-
5th Class
Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Commit: Reaching the Market/Distribution & Sales/Financial Mgmt Cycle/Sales Projections
6th Class
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Commit: Intellectual Property/Compliance, Contracts
7th Class
Thursday, July. 31, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Refine: Building the organization and team/Your cash needs when you might earn a profit
8th Class
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. In-person at BEFH Office
Refine: Seeking Funding/Business Plan
9th Class
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Refine: Business Plan
Access Panel - Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
10th Class
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Launch: Looking Ahead to Launch/Pitch/Business Design
Pitch Practice
Aug. 28, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., BEFH office - In person
Pitch Preparation - Panel past pitch winners
Graduation, Celebration & Pitch Competition, Sept. 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., In person, Flint Hills Discovery Center
$10k Pitch,
1st place: $5,000
2nd place:$3,000
3rd place: $2,000
Competition
Graduation Celebration
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$65 for BEFH members / $95 for non-members (fees are non-refundable)
Fees contribute to costs associated with running the program including physical space to hold classes, pitch competition, and material costs.
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The course will be hybrid with virtual classes through zoom and some in-person field trips and events.
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This program requires you to work on your business plan and conduct research outside of class. Outside coursework will require a minimum of 5-10 hours per week for the duration of the course.
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No, you do not need to be a Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills member, our classes are open to any entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur.
Hear from our Graduates
This Program is Brought to you by Commerce Uplift Sponsors:
Kauffman FastTrac® Is A Program Of The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org.