Prison Education Program

How To Start Your Own Business: Thrive In The First Year

(4.7 stars) · 498 learner reviews

The second guide in Level’s How To Start Your Own Business series for people in prison gives solid instruction on how to set up a new business after incarceration and propel it through the important first year. This guide focuses on the critical fundamentals – startup, budgeting, marketing, accounting, taxes and investing for growth.

Enrollment fee is a one-time payment that includes this guide and Level's entire prison education program including all educational and job training guides and all certificates. No hidden monthly payments or recurring fees. The enrollment fee includes shipping.

What they'll learn:

  • Get set up legally and understand the difference between common business structures
  • Learn how to budget for success including the importance of staying aware of cash flow
  • Build your business through marketing with a focus on low cost options
  • Learn good accounting practices to handle your money with care and keep good records
  • Prepare to pay taxes and comply with other legal requirements

Guide includes:

Finances
Goal setting
Skill development
Quiz

Schedule

Self-guided - learners complete at their own pace

Guide length

48 pages

Time to complete

~10 hours

What is Level?

Level is a popular, independent, nonprofit prison education program that offers education, career training and personal development for people in prison and connects with family members and supporters on the outside. Our unique approach can reach nearly any person at any prison, even those in high security or solitary confinement. 6,537 people in prison have spent 89,430 hours using the Level program inside 1,044 prisons across the country.

Testimonials for this guide:

I had no idea how to go about starting my own business and the information in this guide was very helpful. It provided information on how to conduct research before starting a business and how to plan everything. I want other people to learn how to be entrepreneurs, too, and help create a better society.

- Gabriel, in prison in Pennsylvania

So little information and schooling is available to us here. I used this guide more than I thought I would. I have a certificate in business but I needed to look back and check for things I thought I knew. I learned new things and it was humbling to realize how much I forgot. This is a great thing you are doing.

- Steven, in prison in Arizona

This second guide on How To Start Your Own Business has broadened my understanding beyond the first guide in the series. It taught me the important steps I must take and avoid. I have been very fortunate to discover Level. It has been a pathway to inspiration and purpose in learning. I highly recommend this journey.

- Orlando, incarcerated in Illinois