Step 1 – Training

Twenty undergraduate students are selected for a special section of MGT 332, which focuses on teaching students how to be business coaches and consultants through a mix of lecture, practice, shadowing professional business coaches, and working directly with entrepreneurs. This course is co-taught by UMKC Bloch faculty and a Missouri SBDC professional business coach. Successful completion of this course  provides students with 3 credit hours as well as a certificate of completion from the Missouri SBDC. To participate, students must submit an application to a committee. The committee then selects students from this pool of applicants. Step 1 takes place in the fall semester.

Step 2 – Experience

Students obtain experience working directly with clients in ENT 462 – Entrepreneurial Experience. This course connects students with local entrepreneurs that need help on a specific project. Student teams must familiarize themselves with the entrepreneur and their business,  the industry, and work with their team to provide guidance or solutions for their client. This experience prepares students for a future career as an entrepreneur, a business coach, or a consultant. Step 2 takes place in the spring semester.

Step 3 – Impact

Select students may participate in a summer internship, implementing their skills to positively impact the Kansas City entrepreneurial community. Using a cohort model, students are placed in entrepreneur support organizations around Kansas City to use their new knowledge and experience to positively impact the organizations and the entrepreneurs they serve. The cohort convenes weekly to discuss roadblocks, opportunities, and best practices. Students are eligible for a stipend from the Bloch School in addition to any wages earned from the entrepreneur support organization.