co.starters

Make your dream a reality

CO.STARTERS’ CORE

What if you could go to work every day doing what you love?

CO.STARTERS Core is a business launching program that helps anyone with an idea turn their passion into a successful business. This Fall’s cohort will run from September 18 to November 20. Applications will be accepted through the end of August, and those who are selected will be notified soon after.

We can’t wait to help you get started.

Cost for materials: $299

Apply Now

Who is it for?

If you have a business idea—or want to make a living doing what you love—apply for the CO.STARTERS Core cohort at Encounter Life Church! CO.STARTERS Core is a ten week program that helps anyone turn their passion into a sustainable business. Over 24,000 entrepreneurs across the country have trusted CO.STARTERS to help them get started.

What to Expect

During CO.STARTERS, you’re not being lectured. This is isn’t your parent’s business plan class. This is an action-driven, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded entrepreneurs, led by a facilitator who’ll introduce concepts and help you immediately put them to work. We’ll discuss concepts, problems and solutions during class; you’ll apply them to your project or business during the week; and we’ll review and fine-tune together, so we’re all shaping toward success. You’ll leave the program with a deep understanding of how to create a viable business, and how to repeat that process with your next great idea.

Your Commitment

To get the most out of CO.STARTERS, you will need to participate in all ten sessions, engage regularly with the CO.STARTERS materials, share insights and connections with your peers, and complete targeted “fieldwork” activities weekly between group sessions. In addition to the three hours per week in class, you should expect to spend another three hours on your fieldwork. You will need to be dedicated during the program and give an adequate amount of time to it.

Co.starters core will help you:

Ask better questions to challenge your assumptions, identify key issues, and address them.
Understand WHY specific business activities matter, HOW they fit together, and WHETHER they are relevant to your situation.
Be able to articulate and explain your business’s potential to others
Find community, structure, and accountability – all within a safe space to share, experiment, fail, and learn with other entrepreneurs
Know your next step forward

Co.starters curriculum

Week 1: Know Yourself

Dig into what’s driving you and understand what it will take to achieve your dream.

Week 2: Understand your Customers

Pinpoint what your customer wants and how to adapt to their needs.

Week 3: Business Solutions & Starting Small

Test your solution by starting small and making adjustments as needed.

Week 4: Getting, Keeping, & Growing Customers

Build customer relationships through your messaging & marketing.

Week 5: Revenue, Pricing, & Distribution

Figure out your logistics and how you’ll make money.

Week 6: Legal & Accounting

Understand the systems and structures you’ll need to support your business.

Week 7: Financial Modeling

Determine your costs and whether your business model is financially viable.

Week 8: Funding & Raising Capital

Know you options for finding the funds you need to grow sustainably.

Week 9: Growth Plans & Goal Setting

Gain momentum and leave with a strategy for achieving your goals.

Week 10: Celebrate

Reflect on your journey and celebrate your success. Your future starts now.

Facilitators

Eric Keith

Eric has spent his entire professional career in education, including teaching elementary school, serving as an Assistant Principal in a Middle School, and now serving as an Elementary School Principal. He earned a MAEd in Instructional Leadership. Eric is passionate about drawing out the best in others and helping them learn how to succeed.

Dr. Billy Levengood

In the last 20 years, Billy has planted two churches, started and owned multiple businesses, and worked alongside churches, non-profits, and businesses to help them succeed. In May 2025, Billy earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. His project was creating a mentoring guide for business owners to help church planters start businesses in their ministry context.

“CO.STARTERS Core gave me realistic expectations of what starting a business would look like behind the scenes. The program gave me resources and helped me build connections with other entrepreneurs in the area so we could cheer each other on.”

Course Details

Pricing:

$299

Program Dates:

Thursday, September 18 – Thursday, November 20
6:00 – 9:00 pm

Location:

Encounter Life Church
1006 Oakdale St.
Manchester, TN 37355