Entrepreneurship Academy
NEXT COHORT (17) BEGINS TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
Whether you've already launched or have a side hustle you'd like to grow, the Own Our Own Entrepreneurship Academy has practical tools to help you succeed.
Having a successful business is rarely the result of good luck, but is tied to building your knowledge and putting in the work. Are you ready to learn the skills you need? What are you waiting for?
NOTE: Our Standard Application Fee is $400 due with your application.
Now $275
The Time to Start Your Business is Now! Due to a generous funder, we are able to provide Cohort 17 at reduced tuition. Do not miss this incredible opportunity!
Interested in a scholarship? Click the link below to see if you qualify!
NOTE: Scholarships are income eligible.
Start or Grow Your Business with Confidence!

Articulate your business model
Gather & apply real-time customer insights

Get help with legal,
accounting, & more.


Gain valuable allies & accountability partners
What is the Own Our Own Entrepreneurship Academy?
The OOO Entrepreneurship Academy is a 12-week, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn ideas into action.
Participants enter into a facilitator-led, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of 10-15 like-minded peers. Over the thirteen weeks, they develop and fine-tune their ideas using the CO.STARTERS Canvas, critically examining every part and determining next steps through real-time feedback from people in the community.
Participants leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable venture, articulate their models, and repeat the process with the next great idea.
Academy Schedule- cohort 17
All sessions take place via Zoom from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Week 1: Jan.14 - Your entrepreneurial "DNA"
Week 2: Jan. 21 - Customer discovery 101
Week 3: Jan. 28 - Customer discovery workshop
Week 4: Feb. 4 - Marketing: getting and keeping customers
Week 5: Feb. 11 - Building your business model to grow
Week 6: Feb. 18 - Legal structures
Week 7: Feb. 25 - Discovering The Bottom Line-Costs, Needs, Break-Even Point
Week 8: Mar. 4 - Accounting for Growth
Week 9: Mar. 11 - Financial/Accounting, Technical Assistance Workshop
Week 10: Mar. 18 - Planning For the Future
Week 11: Mar. 25 - Crafting Your Pitch
Week 12: April 1 - Cohort 17 Pitch Night and Graduation!
ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOT CAMP
Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Discover the Entrepreneur in You
Do you want to start a business but don’t know where to start? Do you want to gain valuable insights, network with industry experts, and take your business idea and inspiration to the next level? If so, Own Our Own’s Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is the perfect opportunity for you!
Join us for an unforgettable day of inspiration, growth, and entrepreneurial empowerment. We can't wait to see you at the Own Our Own Boot Camp!
$75 Tuition is due at Registration
📅 Dates: Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Lunch will be provided.
📍 Location: Own Our Own Business Development Center, 626 N Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
🔥 Why Attend Our Entrepreneurship Bootcamp? 🔥
🚀 Dynamic Speakers: Our lineup of entrepreneurship experts will share their knowledge and insights on a wide range of entrepreneurship topics, from customer discovery and marketing to startup strategies, funding/finances, and scaling your business.
🤝 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, mentors, and business enthusiasts. Build valuable relationships and expand your entrepreneurial network.
📚 Educational Workshops: Participate in hands-on workshops designed to enhance your entrepreneurial skills. Gain practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately in your startup journey.
🧠 Thought-Provoking Discussions: Engage in thought-provoking discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in entrepreneurship. Explore innovative solutions and gain valuable perspectives.
🎁 Exclusive Resources: Attendees will receive exclusive access to a structured evidence-based, internationally known curriculum materials, resources, and tools to support your entrepreneurial ventures.
🌐 Who Should Attend? 🌐
Own Our Own Bootcamp is tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, small business owners, and anyone passionate about entrepreneurship. Whether you have a business idea in mind or you're looking to grow your existing venture, this Boot Camp is for you.
PAST ACADEMY PRESENTERS INCLUDE
Click on the presenters name for their bio

Vernard Alexander, CEO,
Minority Networking Exchange

Priya Amin, Founder,
Flexable

Nisha Blackwell, Founder & CEO, Knotzland

Paulette Blanks, Founder
Divine Delectables Baking & Catering Company

Russel Bynum, President/Creative Director,
Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc.


Wayne B. Cobb II, Esquire

James Hancock, Owner
Hancock Accounting and Bookkeeping Solutions

Nashid Ibn Ali, Founder & CEO, Global Wealth Law Corporation


Cory Lakins, Founder, President and CEO,
Aimed Human Services,


Scot MacTaggart, Co-owner of KRNLS, Host of Pitchwerks podcast,

Entrepreneur Lending Director, Bridgeway Capital
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Derrick Wilson, CEO,
The Wilson Group

Fred Massey
Consultants at
Visions 2020 LLC

Nicolette Spudic
Food Innovation Lab Manager
Craft at Chatham

Toni Simpson
Chef & Instructor
Graduate Consultant
Craft at Chatham
Own Our own entrepreneurship academy alumni

Krystal Gruber
Swaggalicious LLC
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Juliandra Jones
PBJ Customs

Debbie Hickman
Jendayi Comprehensive Home Care

Connie Gamble
Gamble Family Bakes

William Higginbottham
Cent of Community

Lelia Broughton
Lelia's Natural Care

Chabelly Batista
Rooted Botanicals

Cynthia Wallace
For Urban Pastors

Lueben Davis
Lynleys LLC

Aleine Hughes
Slice of Delight LLC
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Courtney Davis
CDJ Innovations

Kyya Pettiford
Pettiford Administrative & Notary Services

Ron Harper
Harp’s Hometown Sports Lounge & Grill

Rebecca Guillory Gilmer
RGG & Associates

Christian Moore
Start & Scale

Mike White
Ruach Bikes and Burgers
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Tiffany Jimenez
Tiffany Marie Design Studio

Tierra Banks
Shyne Bryght Carribean
Fusion

Valicia Salter
Valicia’s Sweetery & Catering

Madeline Z. Sample
Pearl’s Bridge of Hope

Tacumba Turner
Oasis Farm & Fishery

Arielle Donelan
Arielle Donelan Designs

Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips LLC

Thomas Wallace
Profound Real Estate

Grace Oxley
The Move

Gregory Dorsey
Under Construction

Lorrean Winbush
Karbon Vine LLC

Kiva Fisher-Green
Sanant Counseling & Wellness LLC

Rachel Goodman
House Bayou 412

Kay Self
Family, Friends, Unity & Passion Meals

Cynthia Underwood
Ambit Energy

Trashawnda Ward
"I AM" Campaign Tees

Spencer & Khirsten Scott
Intentional Events

Alichia Parker-Thomas
A PAR Health Care