The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) established the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in 2019. AWE is designed for women with an entrepreneurial spirit to provide them with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale successful businesses using the "DreamBuilder" programme.
Due to high demand we have re-opened applications to AWE so please get in quick as this will be your last chance before we close it off completely on Tuesday 8 June, 2021. Programme starts 14 June, 2021.

appications closed!
A step-by-step framework for launching your own small business

DREAMBUILDER PROGRAMme

DreamBuilder courses are bundled together to create a step-by-step framework for launching or growing your own small business. Most courses take one to two hours to complete, and can be completed at your own pace whenever and wherever it is most convenient for you. 

Learn the foundation for starting a business, like planning, marketing, pricing, management, accounting, managing risk, finding funding, setting goals, and more. Whether you’re just starting or already own a business looking to grow, the program can help you hone your skills in key areas.
  • Course 1: Starting
  • Course 2: Exploring 
  • Course 3: Planning
  • Course 4 : Making
  • Course 5: Marketing
  • Course 6: Pricing
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starting your dream

This course will help you decide whether or not to follow your dream of starting or growing a business.
You’ll learn the rewards that entrepreneurship brings, the challenges that you might face and the traits of successful entrepreneurs. You’ll also see how your decision to become an entrepreneur will impact you, your family, and your community.
At the end of this course, you will be introduced to the business plan tool that is built
into this program, and will
start working on your business plan.
Course Topics
  • Should I Follow My Dream?
  • Rewards of Entrepreneurship
  • Common Challenges Entrepreneurs Face
  • Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
  • Am I Ready?

exploring your dream

In this course, you will explore your business idea in greater detail. You will learn about internal and external sources of business ideas and the importance of sharing your idea for feedback. You will learn about customers and competitors, start to do some market research, and think about laws and regulations that may apply to your business idea.
Course Topics
  • Internal vs. External Sources of Inspiration
  • Sharing Your Dream
  • What Is a Customer?
  • What Is a Competitor?
  • Market Research
  • Laws & Regulations

planning your dream

In this course, you will learn what a business plan is and why you need it. You will review the different sections of a business plan, and explore some ways it can guide your decision-making. You will learn about the DreamBuilder business plan generator and resources.
Course Topics
  •  To Obtain Your Dream, You Need a Map
  • What are the Sections of a Business Plan?
  • Getting the Most Out of the Business Plan Tool
  • Additional Tools and Resources for your Business Plan
  • How Do You Use a Business Plan?

making your dream

In this course, you will identify the type of business you will start or grow: a product-based business, a service-based business, or a combined product and service-based business. You will be guided through all of the steps and activities required to make your product or deliver your service.
Course Topics
  • What Do I Need to Think About?
  • The “What” Questions
  • The “Who” Questions
  • The “Where” Questions
  • The “When” Questions
  • The “How” Questions

marketing your dream

In this course, you will discover why marketing is important. You will learn how to communicate the value of your product or service to potential customers. You will find out how to identify your target market and learn about the importance of positioning and branding. You will create an elevator speech, and explore ways to share your story through advertising and digital marketing.
Course Topics
  •  Why Marketing is Important
  • What is Your Target Market?
  • Make Your Product or Service Stand Out
  • How Will People Identify Your Product or Service?
  • Crafting Your Elevator Speech
  • Sharing Your Story Through Advertising
  • Digital Marketing

pricing your dream

In this course, you will learn how to set prices for your product or service. You will think about the value customers get from your product or service and the price they are willing to pay. You will learn how to calculate costs and decide on pricing that works for your business. You will review the difference between direct and indirect costs and consider what to do if your costs are too high. Finally, you will be encouraged to make sure that your pricing fits with your marketing message.
Course Topics
  • Understanding Value
  • How Do You Set a Price?
  • Calculating Your Direct Costs
  • Calculating Your Indirect Costs
  • What if My Costs Are Too High?
  • My Pricing and Marketing
  • Course 7: Selling
  • Course 8: Managing 
  • Course 9: Profiting
  • Course 10 : Keeping Track
  • Course 11:  Funding
  • Course 12: Formalising
  • Course 13: Reality
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SELLING your dream

In this course, you will learn about selling, and how it contributes to your overall success as an entrepreneur. You will consider why people buy your product or service. You will explore the importance of looking beyond a single sale and the benefits of excellent customer service. Finally, you will consider how every employee is a salesperson and learn how to make a sales projection.
Course Topics
  • What is Selling?
  • The Importance of Selling
  • Why Do People Buy from You?
  •  Lifetime Value and Customer Service
  • Every Employee is a Salesperson
  • Making a Sales Projection

MANAGING your dream

In this course, you will learn how to manage the different areas of your business to keep on top of things and make a profit. This includes hiring, training, and managing employees. You will review how to manage family members and good and bad employees. You will consider how to manage your time, money, and information.
Course Topics
  •  The Basics of Management
  • Managing the Hiring Process
  • Managing Your Team
  • Managing Family members
  • Managing Good and Bad Employees
  • Managing Time and Money
  • Managing Information

profiting from your dream

In this course, you will learn how to determine if your business is earning a profit, and consider what to do if your business isn’t profitable. You will review the concepts of profit, loss, and break even. You will examine the sections of a Profit and Loss Statement and how to use this document. You will consider some reasons why your business may not make a profit and how to correct this. Finally, you will explore what to do if your business is profitable.
Course Topics
  • Profit, Loss, and Break Even
  • The Profit and Loss Statement
  • Using Your Profit and Loss Statement
  • What if You’re Not Profitable?
  • What If You Do Have a Profit?

keeping track of your dream

In this course, you will explore why it is important to have a system for tracking the money that flows in and out of your business. You will learn about bookkeeping and accounting terms and processes, including Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and the use of a Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Projections. You will see how these statements can help you track the financial health of your business. Finally, you will review other accounting resources.
Course Topics
  • Get Organized, Pay Attention, Keep Track
  • Bookkeeping
  • Accounts Payable & Receivable
  • Other Cash Items
  • Using a Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flows and Cash Flow Projections
  •  Accounting Resources

funding your dream

In this course, you will think about how much money you really need to start or grow your business. You will review different sources of funding, and learn how your business plan can help you get funding.
Course Topics
  • Sometimes You Need Money to Start
  • How Much Money Do You Really Need?
  •  Sources of Funds
  •  Telling Your Story to Investors

formalising your dream

In this course, you will explore the legal considerations involved in starting or growing a business. You will learn about contracts and agreements and experts who provide guidance with these documents. You will explore possible legal structures for your business. You will review the importance of complying with laws and regulations and dealing with risk.
Course Topics
  • Contracts and Agreements
  • Experts Who Can Help
  • Choosing the Right Legal Structure
  • Compliance with Regulations and Legal Obligations
  • Dealing with Risk

turning your dream into reality

In this course, you will learn how an Action Plan can help guide your business. You will work on setting goals and identifying potential challenges. You will consider how to leverage your allies and resources and create an Advisory Board and timeline for launch. You will learn how the templates on the DreamBuilder platform may help in all of these areas. Finally, you will print your graduation certificate and business plan.
Course Topics
  • Creating Your Action Plan
  • Setting Your Goals
  • Identifying Challenges
  • Using Your Allies and Resources
  • Creating an Advisory Board
  • Setting Your Timeline
  • Program Resources
  • Graduation

applications closed!

programme commitment

  • Start Date: Early June 2021 (TBC)
  • No. of Modules: 13 Courses
  • Timeframe: 6-7 weeks​
  • Days: 2 courses per week
  • Hours: Up to 3 hours per course
  • Delivery Method: Face-to-face / Zoom
F2F Delivery of programme will be held at The Pacific Business Hub at 9 Sharkey Street, Manukau City, Auckland

awe participant criteria

  • Women age 18+ 
  • Is thinking of starting or recently started a business
  • Basic computer skills​
  • Access to a device
  • ​Access to Wifi
  • Minimal previous business training
INFORMATION SESSION DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

At the end of the programme, you will have a completed, personalised business plan that will help turn your dream into a reality.
Have an understanding in how to run a business.
Access to Coaching & Mentoring from Pacific business women.
Building & growing your networks.
Ongoing support through The Pacific Business Hub.
Upon course completion, all AWE participants will be entered into ECA’s Exchange Alumni Database. You will receive status as U.S. Govt. sponsored program alumni and get access to IEA's (International Exchange Alumni) resources.

applications closed!

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Pacific Business Hub
Address: 9 Sharkey Street, Manukau City, Auckland
Telephone: 09 218 8273
​Email: awe@pacificbizhub.co.nz