What is the CBG Business Academy?
Join the Waitlist
Who Want Real Results.
What Makes the CBG Academy Unique?
You Learn Faster in a Group.
It’s not just about your question; it’s about hearing the questions you didn’t think to ask. In every session, you’ll watch other founders get coached through real-world problems you’ll likely face too.
You Still Get the Personal Touch.
Every member is known, supported, and challenged. You’ll benefit from individual feedback, hot seats, and accountability; all within a high-trust, founder-focused community.
You’re Not Just Buying Time.
You’re Investing in Outcomes.
This isn’t a content dump or open-ended support. It’s a structured path from stuck to launched, side hustle to scalable business.
This is Perfect for You, If You’re Ready to:
The CBG Academy is an exclusive community of creative entrepreneurs sharing their daily challenges and finding real solutions from their peers within the Academy.
Enrollment is limited. Secure your spot to get access.
What’s Inside the CBG Academy?
The Academy is a custom series of live sessions led and facilitated by Rich Smith. Sessions includes interactions and conversations with other Business Owners, Industry Professionals, Vendors and Startup Founders.
Session 1 - Date: TBD - Vision, Values & Founder Focus
Vision, Values & Founder Focus
Define your “why” - this your mission. What's your story.
Align business goals with personal values and long-term vision.
Establish mindset habits for founder clarity and resilience.
Session 2 - Date: TBD - Problem, Customer & Market Fit
Problem, Customer & Market Fit
Identify the specific problem you're solving.
Define your ideal customer and early adopters.
Validate your assumptions and map customer pain points.
Session 3 - Date: TBD - Business Model Basics
Business Model Basics
Choose a business model that fits your goals.
Explore revenue streams, cost structure, and key operations.
Complete a Lean Business Model Canvas.
Session 4 - Date: TBD - Offer Development & Value Proposition
Offer Development & Value Proposition
Develop a core product/service offer that resonates.
Craft a compelling value proposition.
Learn to communicate benefits, not just features.
Session 5 - Date: TBD - Branding Positioning
Branding & Positioning
Define your brand voice and visual identity basics.
Differentiate yourself in a crowded market.
Develop a one-liner and origin story.
Session 6 - Date: TBD - Sales Strategy & Customer Journey
Sales Strategy & Customer Journey
Map your sales process (from lead to close).
Learn basic sales psychology and objection handling.
Build your first sales pipeline or outreach strategy.
Session 7 - Date: TBD - Marketing Foundations
Marketing Foundations
Choose the right marketing channels for your stage.
Build a simple, repeatable content strategy.
Create your first lead magnet or campaign outline.
Session 8 - Date: TBD - Financial Fundamentals for Founders
Financial Fundamentals for Founders
Understand startup costs, revenue planning, and pricing.
Intro to budgeting, breakeven, and tracking metrics.
Tools for managing finances without being a CPA.
Session 9 - Date: TBD - Systems, Tools & Productivity - Guest Speaker: Gustavo Ramos, Connected Consulting
Systems, Tools & Productivity
Set up simple systems to automate and streamline.
Intro to SOPs, CRMs, and operational tools.
Create a founder weekly rhythm and time strategy.
Guest Speaker: Gustavo Ramos, Connected Consulting
Session 10 - Date: TBD - Pitch, Feedback & Next Steps
Pitch, Feedback & Next Steps
Practice a 3-minute pitch to the group.
Receive live feedback from mentors/peers.
Define your 90-day action plan post-bootcamp.
Workshop 1
Vision, Values & Founder Focus
- Define your “why” – this your mission. What’s your story.
- Align business goals with personal values and long-term vision
- Establish mindset habits for founder clarity and resilience.
Workshop 2
Problem, Customer & Market Fit
- Identify the specific problem you’re solving
- Define your ideal customer and early adopters
- Validate your assumptions and map customer pain points
Workshop 3
Business Model Basics
- Choose a business model that fits your goals
- Explore revenue streams, cost structure, and key operations
- Complete a Lean Business Model Canvas
Workshop 4
Offer Development & Value Proposition
- Develop a core product/service offer that resonates
- Craft a compelling value proposition
- Learn to communicate benefits, not just features
Workshop 5
Branding & Positioning
- Define your brand voice and visual identity basics
- Differentiate yourself in a crowded market
- Develop a one-liner and origin story
Workshop 6
Sales Strategy & Customer Journey
- Map your sales process (from lead to close)
- Learn basic sales psychology and objection handling
- Build your first sales pipeline or outreach strategy
Workshop 7
Marketing Foundations
- Choose the right marketing channels for your stage
- Build a simple, repeatable content strategy
- Create your first lead magnet or campaign outline
Workshop 8
Financial Fundamentals for Founders
- Understand startup costs, revenue planning, and pricing
- Intro to budgeting, breakeven, and tracking metrics
- Tools for managing finances without being a CPA
Workshop 9
Systems, Tools & Productivity
- Set up simple systems to automate and streamline
- Intro to SOPs, CRMs, and operational tools
- Create a founder weekly rhythm and time strategy
Workshop 10
Pitch, Feedback & Next Steps
- Practice a 3-minute pitch to the group
- Receive live feedback from mentors/peers
- Define your 90-day action plan post-bootcamp
Special Pricing
$2,500
(a $5,000 value)
The Full ten session recorded Academy is valued at $5,000, but we’re opening enrollment to our founding cohort at a one time cost of $2,500. Annual or Monthly accepted.
Why the price break? Because we want real feedback, real impact, and real partners as we launch this next-level learning experience…and we also know it’s tough out there running your business. We are trying to meet small business owners and founders where you are with cost, efficiency and value in mind.
Listen to the podcast of the Academy – by Google Notebook LM
Common Questions
The CBG Business Academy is a online program for early-stage founders and small business owners ready to move from stuck to scalable.
With recorded sessions, real-time group coaching, and practical assignments, it’s built for flexibility and accountability.
Led by CBG founder Rich Smith and expert guests, the Academy blends direct coaching with peer learning to help you launch, grow, or strengthen your business.
How do I know this will help my business?
This Is For You If You’re Facing:
- Working all the time but still barely paying yourself,
- Constantly fixing your team’s mistakes or redoing the work,
- Stuck in decision fatigue around pricing, services, or structure,
- Feeling overwhelmed, directionless, or unsure where to take your business next,
- Bored or disconnected from the business you built.
The CBG Startup Academy is built to solve real business problems through proven frameworks, expert guidance.
Will I get a recording of the session?
YES. All sessions are recorded and shared with participants, so you can review key insights or catch up if you miss a session.
Is this right for my type of business? "I work in a niche industry"
Whether you're building a local service business, a niche consultancy, a digital product, or something unique to your industry; the CBG Academy and is built to focus on helping you build a solid foundation that works.
Is this only for start-ups or for established businesses?
The CBG Academy is ideal for both serious startups and early-stage established businesses (typically within their first 5 years).
Whether you're validating your model or repositioning for growth, we meet you where you are.
Will I be able to reach out for questions or support after the Academy?
You'll have access to a private community space where you can ask follow-up questions, share wins, and get peer and facilitator input between sessions.
Optional one-on-one coaching add-ons are also available if you need deeper support.
What is the cost to Join the Academy?
While the full 10-session program is valued at $5,000, we're offering a special founding cohort rate of $2,500*. This exclusive rate is only available to early participants.
Includes:
10 structured sessions led by business experts.
Real-time group coaching + recorded replays.
Assignments, tools, and templates.
Access to a high-impact peer community.
*We are happy to discuss monthly payment options with you. Also, we are working on sponsorships and scholarships for the future; we want you to get value from the Academy.
Be part of the founding cohort for the 2025 CBG Business Academy.
