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

  • 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 

  • $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.

  • The course will be hybrid with virtual classes through zoom and some in-person field trips and events.

  • 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.

  • 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.