The Mobile Business School launched its first workshop, titled Do What You Love in Detroit on April 22 in partnership with The National Black Public Relations Society – Detroit. This three-hour workshop focused on topics such as The Customer & Innovation, The Narrative of Your Business Model, and Understanding the Numbers.
“It’s OK to not know, but it’s not OK to fail to grow. Most entrepreneurs and career professionals in the urban community don’t know what they don’t know. They do know, however, that they need something more. That’s the vacuum where The Mobile Business School steps in,” says founder Walter Ward III.
Read on to find out more about Ward’s school and vision.
What is The Mobile Business School?
The Mobile Business School can best be described as a pop-up MBA for creatives, entrepreneurs and young career professionals. We believe we are one of the most accessible places for business acumen and professional development for people who didn’t go to business school.
What made you start the school?
Our generation is what I call the “side hustle” generation, but most people don’t know what they need to know to start, scale and finance their business. After noticing a lot of “coaches” and “advisors” online that weren’t providing substantive information, I wanted to offer core business acumen to communities that typically don’t get it in a fun and cool way.
Do you have any partners?
We do. We’ve been blessed to be able to work with Hajj Flemings and Brand Camp University. We also have done consulting project work for Détroit is The New Black and we have several other partnerships that deal primarily with vendor services. We have a new and budding partnership with Bamboo Détroit and we also are delivering workshops as part of Détroit Startup Week.
Are courses available online?
As of yet no, but they will be soon.
How often do you have this course?
Right now, there really isn’t a cadence. Our workshops have been based upon the demand and location.
Is the course only available in the metro Detroit area?
No! We have workshops being planned now in Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
What made you become an entrepreneur?
I have always been an entrepreneur. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would take me with her as she taught in a night school. To get money for candy, I would draw pictures, photo copy them and sell them back to her students.
What inspires you to remain a business owner?
I believe in multiple streams of income; real estate, corporate job and a business.
What will students get out of this course?
For entrepreneurs, they will learn the things they didn’t know they needed to know. We are leveling up their management skills and understanding of how the business world works. For career professionals and creatives, they will receive an understanding of the role they play [in] the larger picture of their employers.
What are three things a person should consider before starting a business?
1) What problem are you solving (why do you exist)? If you can answer that, shut up shop until you can.
2) Where is the value created in my business?
3) What’s the economic logic? How am I going to make money?
What are three financial mistakes business owners make?
1) Commingling funds; thinking that the businesses money is theirs.
2) Not understanding value.
3) Not building a business model that [can be] financed.
For more information, please visit TheMobileBusinessSchool.com.
