The Startup Playbook: Idea to Income at the Dalton IDEA Center

Have a business idea but not sure what comes next?
The Startup Playbook is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs move from IDEA to INCOME by turning concepts into a clear, actionable path toward business ownership.
Whether you are starting from scratch or refining an early-stage idea, this beginner-friendly series will help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and direction.
This series is ideal for:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Side hustlers
- Creatives and makers
- Students and young professionals
- Individuals exploring business ownership for the first time
By the end of this two-part series, participants will walk away with a clearer business model, practical next steps, and connections to regional startup resources.
PART 1: Interactive Workshop
During this interactive workshop, participants will:
- Refine their business idea and target customer
- Identify the problem their business solves
- Explore revenue streams and startup costs
- Learn how to use the Business Model Canvas
- Connect with startup resources and support organizations
Choose ONE session date/location that works best for your schedule.
- Tuesday, June 9 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | SOVA Innovation Hub, South Boston
- Tuesday, June 16 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | SOVA Innovation Hub, South Boston
- Tuesday, July 14 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Dalton IDEA Center, Martinsville
- Tuesday, July 21 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Dalton IDEA Center, Martinsville
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PART 2: One-on-One Follow-Up Support
After attending a workshop session, participants may schedule a free one-on-one follow-up session with a RISE Business Navigator to:
- Refine their business model
- Receive personalized feedback
- Identify next steps
- Connect with funding pathways and startup resources
- Explore additional RISE and partner organization support
These follow-up sessions are designed to help participants move from learning to action with guidance tailored to their specific idea or business goals.