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Taking the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur

Taking the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur

This course is part of Starting a Business Specialization

Instructor: Madecraft

Included with

Learn more

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

5 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

How to test a business idea with a minimum viable product before investing serious time or money.
How to build the systems, pricing, and client conversations that turn a side idea into a sustainable business.
How to position and market your brand so that ideal clients find you when they're ready to buy.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Starting a Business Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 8 modules in this course

In this course, you'll assess whether you're truly ready for entrepreneurship, shape a business idea around a problem people will pay to solve, and build the systems, pricing, and financial structure that keep your business running smoothly. You'll also gain confidence in the skills most employees never get to practice: networking genuinely, positioning a brand, handling client objections, and closing sales without pressure.

What makes this course unique is that it's grounded in the real-world experience of bestselling author and entrepreneur Sam Bennett, who has spent decades helping first-time founders avoid the most common and costly mistakes. You won't get theoretical frameworks or generic advice. You'll get practical strategies like the perfect customer lifecycle, the minimum viable product test, themed workweeks, and the confident close, all delivered in the warm, candid voice of someone who has genuinely been where you're standing now. Whether you're itching to leave the 40-hour week behind, pursuing a passion, or simply not ready to retire, this course gives you the tools, mindset, and momentum to take your next step with clarity.

Module details

Starting a business begins in your head long before it shows up on paper, and the mindset you bring shapes every decision that follows. In this module, you'll assess your readiness, face the fears holding you back, and clarify the deeper impact behind your work so you can step into entrepreneurship with confidence and self-awareness.

What's included

5 videos2 assignments

The strongest business ideas solve real problems for real people, and yours is probably closer than you think. In this module, you'll turn everyday pain points into a focused concept, tap into your zone of creative genius, and shape marketing approaches that help the right customers find you.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

Traditional business plans can feel overwhelming and often delay the work that actually grows a business. In this module, you'll map the perfect customer lifecycle and test a minimum viable product so you can validate your idea with real buyers before investing serious time or money.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

Turning an idea into a working business means setting up the systems, finances, and habits that keep it running smoothly. In this module, you'll build the operational foundation of your business, protect yourself financially, and price your offers with the confidence of someone who knows their worth.

What's included

6 videos3 assignments

6 videosTotal 16 minutes

Setting Up Business Systems3 minutes
Building Your Company Website3 minutes
Creating Your Financial Structure3 minutes
Scheduling Your Workflow2 minutes
Getting Out of Your Own Way 3 minutes
Overcoming Your "Pricing Shyness"3 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Your One-Page Website, Written Out Loud25 minutes
Designing Your Entrepreneurial Week15 minutes
Running the Business Behind the Business10 minutes

Relationships are the quiet engine behind most successful businesses, and they don't happen by accident. In this module, you'll practice having real conversations online and in person so you can build a network of clients, collaborators, and champions who move your business forward.

What's included

3 videos2 assignments

Customers buy when they're ready, not when you are, so staying visible and distinct is how you win when the moment comes. In this module, you'll differentiate your brand in ways customers care about, build visibility through consistent marketing, and target buyers based on where they are in their awareness journey.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

The difference between a good conversation and a closed sale often comes down to how well you listen and how calmly you respond. In this module, you'll use targeted questions to uncover client needs, handle objections without pressure, and close sales in a way that sets the stage for loyalty and referrals.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment

Great entrepreneurs never stop learning, and the small habits of growth are what separate thriving businesses from stalled ones. In this module, you'll build a learning routine, surround yourself with trusted advisors, and shape a bigger vision for your business that reflects what you truly value.