What is Riverside County MADE Program?

By: Sharjeel Sohaib

• 

Dec 29, 2022

 • 

Utilize Our Platform

  • The Riverside County MADE program aims to support new product-based enterprises in Riverside County as they enter the market to test their ideas.
  • Participants will learn the fundamental ideas needed to build a successful company. You will learn about planning, marketing, finance, and how to make your business ambitions a reality over six weeks. 
  • After completing the program, those who qualify may apply for a $2,500 County of Riverside award. The program starts on January 10 on Tuesday.

What’s the MADE Program?

MADE was a five-week program (now a 6-week program) run in collaboration with the Original OC Swap Meet that helps new product-based enterprises join the market and test their ideas. This fast-paced program allows participants to manage an Original OC Swap Meet vendor booth, sell to the general public at a live market or event, and accelerate their company concepts in just a few short weeks. 

As of 2023, in less than six weeks, MADE participants will be ready to generate sales and develop their customer base after learning the ins and outs of how to launch and expand their company into a new area formally.

What Will You Get To Learn in This Six-Week Program?

The six-week schedule is as follows:

Week 1 – Tuesday, January 10 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Developing your product for the market
  • Building your idea into a business
  • Overview of permits and licenses
  • Business Structure
  • Naming your business
  • How will you fund your business?
  • Business Plan & Financial Projections – Introduction

Week 2 – Tuesday, January 17 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Feasibility
  • Business Planning
  • Market Research
  • Identify and research competition (handout sheet)

Week 3 – Tuesday, January 24 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Financial Management
  • Account & Accounting Systems
  • Sourcing, costing, and pricing your products
  • Accepting payment
  • Business Liability Insurance
  • Business Bank Account and Accounting methods

Week 4 – Tuesday, January 31 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Financial Literacy By AmPac
  • Access to Capital

Week 5 – Tuesday, January 7 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Developing your marketing plan
  • Advertising
  • Digital Marketing
  • Understanding social media and how to attract customers/repeat customers
  • Your canopy and Space
  • Meeting the Canopy Vendor
  • Return Policy – Customer Satisfaction
  • Revisiting Grant Requirements

Week 6 – Tuesday, January 14 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

  • Financial Projections
  • Event Preparation and needs
  • Signage and promotion
  • Further Steps
  • SBDC Assistance
  • Setting up your Marketplace booth

2022 MADE program

This year’s thanksgiving, through the MADE Program, the community at the Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center helped more than 40 small business owners enter the market and make their first sale.

Successful Stories from MADE Program Held in 2022

This year, the OCIE SBDC collaborated with a diverse collection of company owners who offered consumers a wide selection of goods. It was amazing to see all the entrepreneurs transform their business ideas into fully operational enterprises in five short weeks. 

Royree Toomer, Owner of Simply Savvy Sistaz

Royree Toomer, the owner of Simply Savvy Sistaz, responded to an inquiry on how the MADE program helped her:

“The SBDC helped me believe in myself more as a company owner and gave me the confidence I need to know that I can do it, and know that I have support.

Royree Toomer, Owner of Simply Savvy Sistaz

Stephen Heinpmann, Owner of Vene Cacao

Vene Cacao owner Stephen Heinpmann, a fellow MADE alumnus, expressed gratitude that the SBDC gave his company “greater awareness, the capacity to communicate to individuals and meet critical actors to expand the business itself.” 

His ability to forge meaningful relationships with the other participants and the chance to exhibit his goods at the Original OC Swap Meet was his favorite aspects of being a part of the MADE program.

Wrap Up!

The MADE program in Riverside County assists emerging product-based businesses in testing their ideas on the market. Over six weeks, participants will learn about planning, marketing, finances, and how to make their business goals a reality. After finishing the program, those who meet the requirements can apply for a $2,500 County of Riverside grant. All participants will receive expedited training and one-on-one coaching in 2022 to help them get ready for their Small Business Saturday launch.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Connecting you with the best startups, people & events in the Inland Empire.

Support Startup News & Media!


Enjoying the startup news & media? Support us!

We have big plans, and we need your help!

Startempire Wire is a community of people working together to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the Inland Empire. We provide resources and connect people with the startup culture.

We believe that the Inland Empire has all of the ingredients for success. This region just needs a platform to show the world what it can do – And this is exactly what Startempirewire.com is doing. Our goal is to act as a megaphone to connect the dots between the best startups, events, and people in the Inland Empire.

We have big plans, and we need your help! If you are passionate about creating a thriving local startup ecosystem, then we would like to invite you to join in contributing to the community by supporting us. You can do that by supporting us financially or by being an active contributor. In return, we will give you (depending on sponsorship level) free access to our content, other level based perks &  the opportunity to connect with a network of passionate people working to build a better future for all of us.

We cover the good and the bad of entrepreneurship, startups & business events; we do it with passion and purpose. If you like what we do, support us & please consider becoming a patron. Your support is essential for independent local startup media to survive & thrive.

You can make a regular one time donation to become a sponsor at any level, or you can choose to become a monthly or event sponsor.  Every little bit counts! Thank You

Verious B. Smith III

Founder, Startempire Wire

Related Articles

OASIS Challenge: Showcasing Innovation in Sustainability

OASIS Challenge: Showcasing Innovation in Sustainability

RIVERSIDE, CA – The Southern California OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals, a much-anticipated event in the sustainability sector, is set to take place, spotlighting six innovative Inland Empire companies. These finalists, vying for $100,000 in grants and invaluable...

Stay Up On Startempire News

Access Premium Content

Startempire Wire premium content access is free during the beta period of our  website.  Join during beta and get a grandfathered discount when we launch.

$5 for first month then $15 per month

Get Every Update

Would you like to receive Startempire Wire updates in your inbox? Subscribe below!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

Follow Startempire Wire on other social media channels.

0
My cart
Your cart is empty.

Looks like you haven't made a choice yet.