Scaling Operations, Finance, and Brand Management

This capstone unit integrates advanced financial management, budgeting, and operational systems with marketing, branding, and risk-management strategies needed to grow an entrepreneurial venture. Students will synthesize accounting principles, financing options, hiring and inventory procedures, and promotional tactics to prepare a realistic, compliant plan for business expansion.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze financial statements, a chart of accounts, and accounting entries (including debits/credits and unusual gains/losses) to identify cash flow needs and inform budgeting and forecasting decisions
• Apply budgeting and forecasting tools to develop an operational budget and financial roadmap that incorporates sources of capital, tax considerations, and cost estimates for growth initiatives
• Evaluate marketing and branding strategies (positioning, market share tactics, growth-hacking, and social platforms) to recommend measurable campaigns that increase leads and market penetration
• Demonstrate the ability to design operational procedures addressing inventory receipt/maintenance, hiring and training, brand protection, franchising considerations, and basic legal/compliance safeguards