Bounce Innovation Hub
Innovation. Entrepreneurship. Community.
Beyond Startup Workshop Series
Entrepreneurs looking to expand their skills and take their businesses to the next level are invited to participate in an innovative new workshop series that combines hands-on activities with informative discussions.
The “Beyond Startup” workshop series is designed for entrepreneurs looking to expand their skills and knowledge to scale their businesses effectively. Topics covered in the series include using QuickBooks to develop a bookkeeping process, establishing a strategic brand identity, building a web presence, sales prospecting, and setting annual and quarterly milestones. More than just a presentation, participants can expect hands-on activities and actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately to take their business to the next level.
The workshops’ interactive and hands-on format allows participants to engage with industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs, fostering valuable networking opportunities and the exchange of ideas. Each workshop session focuses on a different aspect of entrepreneurial growth. Participants can attend all sessions or just select ones that meet their current needs.
The “Beyond Startup” workshops will be held twice a month, beginning on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. All workshops will be held at the Bounce Innovation Hub in Akron from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. To learn more or register for a workshop session, click one of the links below.
Workshops require advance registration and are free to Bounce clients, tenants, remote tenants, and monthly Generator members. There is a $5 fee for non-clients.
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Wednesday, October 16 |
Beyond Startup: Develop a Bookkeeping Process Set up a bookkeeping process that gives you clear, ongoing insight into your startup’s financial status. Get hands-on experience setting up and working with QuickBooks. Gain knowledge to run your own bookkeeping or work effectively with a professional bookkeeper. Facilitator: Phelan Spence is the Manager, Business Strategy Services at JumpStart and holds a BBA in International Business from Cleveland State University. His training empowers entrepreneurs and business owners by helping illuminate their financial possibilities. |
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Wednesday, November 6 |
Beyond Startup: Brand Identity Make sales and marketing easier by developing a solid, intentional foundation for how you present your brand. Work with an expert facilitator to create a customer persona, brand thesis, tone, colors and fonts to guide your marketing efforts or take to a marketing firm. YOUR FACILITATORS: Alexander and Drew Sprungle are the co-founders of the award-winning Akron-based design and brand studio Secret Creative Org. Secret Creative tells stories people repeat. They work with brands they believe in to create thoughtful, high-performing creative that gets people to stop and think. |
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Wednesday, November 20 |
Beyond Startup: Building a Web Presence Take control of how people perceive your business by developing a simple website targeted at potential customers, investors or the public at large. Buy a website domain and build a professional website that you can update whenever you want using no-code web editing software. The focus will be on generating a simple web presence that speaks to your target audience. YOUR FACILITATOR: Austin Kettner is a Bounce entrepreneur-in-residence and tech founder, who specializes in design and development. He is the co-founder of the web development firm Wonderkiln and has more than a decade of startup and software development experience. |
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Wednesday, December 4 |
Sales Prospecting Use your customer persona and LinkedIn to develop relationships with people you can target your business-to-business sales efforts toward. The goal is to build real relationships leading to sales, rather than resorting to high volume but ultimately unsuccessful sales blasts. You’ll also develop a simple outreach script to help you put your sales efforts in motion. YOUR FACILITATOR: Gene Groys is a Bounce entrepreneur-in-residence and tech founder, who specializes in scaling sales for tech startups that sell business-to-business. He currently serves as the CSO of MedaSync where he uses the tactics he’ll teach you about to grow sales. |
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Wednesday, December 18 |
2025 Milestone Planning Conference Join us for the final Beyond Startup Workshop, a dynamic conference-style day designed to support your business growth and personal development as we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2025. You’ll have the flexibility to choose from multiple workshops tailored to different aspects of business strategy, goal-setting, and wellness. Feel free to sign up for one, some, or all of the sessions that fit your interests. Throughout the day, enjoy free coworking in our vibrant space, and get creative with our self-guided vision board tables and a unique Risograph "Thank You" gift workshop—both available all day, no sign-ups required. The day kicks off with coffee and pastries, followed by interactive sessions on marketing strategy, goal-setting, and a wellness break with yoga to help you reset and recharge. We’ll wrap up with a relaxed networking happy hour, giving you the chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders. Whether you’re here for the full day or just a few sessions, we can’t wait to see you and help you end the year on a high note! |