Siobhan Says: What DNEP Faculty Are Looking For

Dear Ready to Try Again,

Not being selected doesn’t mean your business isn’t worthy. It means your application didn’t show that you’re ready for what that specific program offers or the timing of the kind of problem you were looking for support with didn’t fit the specific program’s portfolio of projects at this time. Sometimes it’s also as simple as your business is just not ready, yet.

Cohorts have limited seats (sometimes 2 spots for 25+ applicants), and we’re looking for businesses that can learn, implement and succeed alongside the students working on the project for your business. Every application boils down to three questions: Can this entrepreneur use what we’re teaching right now? Will they show up and be engaged with the students? Will they be able to do the work to implement the recommendations from the project? If yours doesn’t clearly answer yes to all three, someone else’s will.

Here’s where applications usually fall short:

1. It’s too general.
“I need help with marketing” describes almost every entrepreneur at any stage of their business journey. Compare that with “I’ve acquired a new packaging facility that will increase the volume I can produce of my products by 50% and need to generate a marketing plan to acquire the customers to purchase the increased volume of products that I’ll be able to produce.” A specific problem shows you’re ready to solve it.

2. The timing isn’t right.
Most class projects at the University are designed for businesses already operating, with customers, revenue (even small) and transactions to track. If you’re still in the idea phase, start with our startup workshops or one-on-one appointments with business coaches at SCORE or at ProsperUs Detroit.

3. Your availability is uncertain or unreliable.
 “I can probably make most sessions” is a red flag, because each session builds on the last one and students rely on your engagement to support your business. Strong applicants write something like “I’ve blocked all 8 dates and arranged coverage.” If your calendar is packed, wait for the next semester or opportunity! 

4.  It feels rushed.
From one-sentence answers, we can’t tell how serious you are. Spend some time on the application. Tell us what you do, how long you’ve been operating, why this program now, and what you want to accomplish by the end. Be honest about limitations and expectations so we can best address them or support them with other offerings. 

It’s the wrong program for the stage of your business.
If you apply to be a part of a class project but have no systems set up to access your business information or data, you’ll struggle to keep up. A quick guide:

• Accounting and Community Tech Consulting One-on-one appointments: You have no accounting software, you’re unsure of your numbers, or you want to learn how to update your website. 
• Workshops: The basics are in place for your business, and you want to understand your numbers better or better understand a specific topic that the workshop is covering. 
• Advanced cohorts: Your books are current, and you’re ready for projections and margin analysis, you can access your sales and business data on demand and are prepared (and excited) to engage with students about these things in order to help solve the problem you have identified and are seeking support with.

If you’re not selected again:

• Ask questions! Be curious, and ask whomever reviewed your application to give you feedback.
• Book one-on-one support to get your books in order.
• Build your case. Between applications, attend workshops, put what you learn into practice, and document your progress.

The bottom line: Whether an application is accepted or declined doesn’t come down to the quality of your business. It comes down to how clearly you show you’re ready and/or the timing and trends of what students and professors need to work on in any given semester.. Be specific, commit fully, and explain why this program, right now. 

And if it doesn’t work this semester please reach out to us, and apply again!

Siobhan

p.s. Not sure which program fits? Book a one-on-one with me first. I will help you find the right fit at the right time.