Launch a Successful eCommerce Business: A Step by Step Guide
Nami Soejima
Founder, Rei Cosmetics. IPG, J&J, Dyson
Patricia Galea
Amazon, Nintendo, Revlon, Hulu, Converse
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Avoid rookie mistakes. Gain the knowledge and confidence to launch strong.
Ready to turn your dream into reality?
You have the vision. We have the roadmap to make it happen—and help you avoid the common mistakes that derail most startups.
This interactive course brings you into a community of aspiring founders (capped at 15 students) where you'll learn our playbook for launching a successful bootstrapped eCommerce business.
We'll show you how to create a business that puts you on a path to profitability. Learn exactly what to expect and how to execute successfully—eliminating that scary feeling of flying blind.
What you'll learn: • Brand concept and product positioning that stands out • Business planning that shows the path to profitability • Shopify Store setup, product sourcing & shipping, operating plan, inventory management • Marketing tactics that drive sales without draining your budget
What we bring: • Actionable strategies, battle-tested shortcuts, and insider knowledge from founders who've been there.
Your mentors and community, empowering you every step of the way
With personalized guidance and assignments, you'll craft a business plan and roadmap that will turn your vision into reality.
Ready to take the first step? Learn more and enroll now. 👇
What you’ll learn
How to create and execute a strong business plan. Assignments focus on actual development of your own plan and Shopify store.
Craft a brand and store concept that is unique, compelling and ripe for success. Understand various pros/cons of various business models.
Validate your product or store concept. Craft a value prop, brand positioning, naming, and logo that stands out across all media.
Determine pros/cons of starting with reselling (curating) existing products versus developing and selling original products.
Create a concise and actionable business plan with a strong underlying business model that is designed for success.
Use our financial projection template to see what budget (capital) is needed to build your business before it becomes self sustaining.
See a clear path and timeline to achieving profitability. Know how much capital you'll need for setup and operating expenses.
Set up your business entity formation that is right for you, understand legal considerations.
Learn how to quickly design and build your brand and store with proven AI, tools/partners and platforms that make it easy and affordable.
Arrange suppliers and inventory/fulfillment options. Determine the best product sourcing model: dropship, distributor/wholesaler, or direct.
Our course erases the fear that comes from flying blind. Enjoy the feeling of being in the driver's seat, with a clear path ahead.
Learn proven tactics that will build your brand and business.
See how your ideas, skills and experience is very applicable to successfully launching and running your own eCommerce business.
Learn no/low cost marketing tactics that drive early traction. Social media, Search, SEO, paid media, PR, Influencer, AI and SEO.
Learn how to use AI tools for your business - and when to avoid it. Learn how to produce content, images via freelancers and Influencers.
Learn how to expand to other channels and scale your eCommerce operations.
Learn how to find and hire freelancers, contractors and marketing partners that will help you grow your business.
Learn how to prioritize your own time and energy so that you focus on what matters most and enjoy the journey.
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Who this course is for
Aspiring eCommerce founders who want to understand the steps, budget and requirements to launch a sustainable eCommerce business.
Established career professionals who are curious about launching their own eCommerce business.
Prerequisites
Entrepreneurial curiosity
Lean into your idea or desire to start your own business. We're here to show you how that dream becomes real.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Nami Soejima & Patricia Galea in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Weekly office hours every Friday
Ask any questions so that you get personalized guidance for your own business.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Course syllabus
Week 1
Jan
13
Session 1: Intro, Roadmap to launch, Biz Plan development
Jan
15
Session 2: Biz Plan (continued)
Jan
16
Optional: Office Hour / Q&A with Nami and Patricia
Week 2
Jan
20
Session 3: Set up your Store
Jan
22
Session 4: Set Up Your Store (cont)
Jan
23
Optional: Office Hour / Q&A with Nami and Patricia
Free resource
Why You Should Start an eCommerce Biz
Growing eCommerce Market
eCommerce continues to sky rocket. See the forecasts and latest shopper behavior - where they shop, how they buy.
Success is Achievable - If You Follow the Playbook
Most startups run out of money and fail due to poor planning. We'll topline the high level steps to a successful launch.
Typical Evolution of D2C Brands
eCommerce is now the first step for new brands and a critical platform for established brands to scale.
Benefits of eCommerce for Physical Brands
From branding to higher margin sales, every physical brand should go DTC because the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Schedule
Live sessions
3-4 hrs / week
3 week course. 1.5 hour live zoom sessions (Tues and Thursday) per week plus 1 optional office hour on Fridays.
Tue, Jan 13
7:00 PM—8:30 PM (UTC)
Thu, Jan 15
7:00 PM—8:30 PM (UTC)
Fri, Jan 16
7:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Assignments that build your Business Plan and Shopify site
1-2 hrs / week
Each session will have an assignment around building your business plan and/or setting up your Shopify site.
Testimonials
- Patricia was one of my industry mentors while I was a student in the Easton Technology Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and I extremely grateful for her guidance. Experienced. Skilled. Insightful. Generous. Patricia's mentorship was invaluable as I re-positioned my career focus.
Maximo Torres
Sr. Manager @ The Walt Disney Company | MBA, Brand Planning - I knew a lot about the basics of running a service business but when I wanted to start my first eCommerce business, I needed guidance. Nami helped me turn my idea into reality with lots of real world experience and a simple smart roadmap. I gained the knowledge and confidence to launch a new eComm business while running my other business.
Stephen P.
Founder, Melody West Patricia is truly an expert in eCommerce and digital marketing. As a former student in her “Advertising in the Digital Age” course at UCLA, I learned many base concepts and strategic thought processes that transferred across industries. Generously leveraging real-life examples from her robust experience in the digital field, she taught us how to dive into the details without losing sight of the bigger picture and remain customer-focused. I am incredibly grateful to have taken her class and highly recommend her as a teacher and mentor!
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Jennifer She
Growth Marketing Strategist, eCommerce & Subscription
Frequently asked questions
$775
USD
8 days left to enroll