Business Development

This intermediate program builds on the concepts introduced in Business Fundamentals: Small Businesses and Startups. Coursework will invite students to explore human-centered design, business models, marketing, financial planning, and strategy on a deeper level, all while weighing the pros and cons of different courses of action. Students will work in teams to develop and test a business idea. In the winter of 2026 this program will draw on the food industry as a specific focus, bringing in guest speakers, and exploring concepts in the context of a real subset of our contemporary economy.

Students will emerge from this program with a dynamic understanding of the building blocks of businesses and organizations, knowledge of a specific industry, and experience working with others to develop an idea into a well-informed plan. Students will also have an opportunity to explore innovative strategies that prioritize community as a key stakeholder.

This is the second of three courses that comprise the Small Business and Creative Entrepreneurship certificate at Evergreen. Courses must be taken in sequential order.