Programs

Practical training accompanied by lifelong peer-to-peer mentorship.

When an individual decides to join the Academy, they participate in four stages of entrepreneurship training that comprise the ACT NOW program. The focus of ACT NOW is to emphasize action-based training, lifelong learning, and continuous support and mentorship.

ACT NOW Stages

Stage 1: START NOW

Purpose: Members begin the journey to sustainable self-reliance by implementing practical knowledge in their income-generating activities (IGA) or starting a new IGA.

Training: Members participate in a four-day bootcamp-style training where they participate in the Trading Activity—starting with a paperclip and trading up to an item that can generate revenue—and learn the basics of starting a small IGA (income-generating activity) by applying the first 12 Academy Rules of Thumb.

Milestone Achievements: Members initiate real, operable income-generating activities and pay themselves a minimum local salary.

Stage 2: GROW NOW

Purpose: Members progress along the path to self-reliance by actively participating in monthly chapter meetings and advancing their business plans.

Training: Members learn how to organize their business to improve their income. They are taught legal processes, business planning, advanced sales and marketing, how to hire and manage employees, and more.

Milestone Achievements: Members participate in monthly chapter meetings, create their own business plans, and pay themselves a livable salary that at least covers their families’ basic necessities.

Stage 3: EXPAND NOW

Purpose: Members expand their self-reliance through chapter meetings and significant business expansion.

Training: Participants receive more complex training on increasing organizational capability, operations management, and developing financial plans to realize their growing organizations' business goals.

Milestone Achievements: Members increase their number of employees, build savings, achieve a return on investment, and grow their businesses.

Stage 4: GIVE NOW

Purpose: Members give back by volunteering in local chapter leadership and mentoring others along the path of sustainable self-reliance.

Training: Coming soon!

Milestone Achievements: Members mentor other Academy individuals and families who are just starting their own businesses.

Chapter Support Groups

Chapter support groups are the foundation of the Academy. Academy members have lifelong access to their local chapter. Monthly chapter meetings emphasize applying Academy-learned business principles via peer-to-peer support, opportunities to network, and expert guest lecturers. 

The Academy is committed to forming a chapter support group for every location where there is Academy membership.

Support the opening of a new area by donating today!

Workshops and Seminars

Academy workshops and training seminars are specialized business courses that grant certificates upon completion of the course. Donors and Academy supporters can volunteer to host an in-person or virtual workshop.

Testimonials

  • “I am very grateful for the self-reliance courses and for the Academy. They have motivated and taught me how to start and grow a business. Today we support our house with the sales of these products! Thanks to Start Now, we learned that we can start a business and achieve self-reliance through entrepreneurship.”

    Maria Rosângela | Brazil

  • “Due to my country’s difficult economic and employment situation, I felt that I should take the ‘My Business’ Academy course. I was able to recognize the skills and gifts I already possessed to start my own business and with guidance from our Heavenly Father, we set out to create our own automotive paint technician business.”

    Carlos Ruiz | Colombia