Entrepreneurship Fundamentals — Day 1: Core Values

Entrepreneurship Fundamentals — Day 1: Core Values

Session time: 3:00–4:00 pm ET on October 1

Kick off Small Business Month by defining the non-negotiables that guide every decision in your business. In this hands-on session, you’ll turn personal beliefs into clear business values that shape your brand, hiring, pricing, partnerships, and customer experience.

What we’ll cover (60 minutes)

• 0:00–0:10 — Why values beat vibes: how core values drive profit, trust, and focus

• 0:10–0:25 — Values discovery: quick prompts to surface your top 5

• 0:25–0:40 — From words to actions: mapping each value to 2–3 visible behaviours

• 0:40–0:50 — Apply it now: a tricky real-world scenario (pricing, partner, or client fit)

• 0:50–1:00 — Commitments and next steps: publish, practice, and use in decisions

You’ll leave with

• A crisp set of 3–5 core values in plain language

• Behaviour statements that make your values observable and coachable

• A one-page Values to Decisions worksheet you can share with your team

• A simple ritual to keep values alive (weekly check-in prompt)

Facilitator

Chris-Beth Cowie is the founder and CEO of Empowered 4x, a business development centre and coworking community that equips social entrepreneurs with consulting, training, and virtual office services. A leading social impactor and entrepreneurship instructor, she has facilitated 250+ workshops and events and supported 3,500+ learners since 2014. She hosts BizGrams, a live interview series for founders, and coaches impact ventures with partners such as Sheridan’s EDGE. Chris-Beth has also keynoted at ACBN’s Legacy Symposium on building social enterprise for greater impact. Empowered 4X

Who should attend

Early-stage founders, side-hustlers, and entrepreneurs refining their brand and culture—especially those preparing to hire, raise funds, or formalize partnerships.

Bring/prep

• Pen and notebook (or device)

• One recent tough decision you faced (pricing, client fit, partner, or hiring)

• Optional: invite a co-founder or advisor for perspective