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ITDP · 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 83-1404551

ITDP× Southern Lion
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Training curriculum

Four weeks to your Foundations Badge.

A step-by-step training program for Charlotte metro entrepreneurs. From your first online listing to AI-powered growth — built for beginners, designed for results.

Start week one Support this program
SOUTHERN LIONFoundationsITDP
Length
4 weeks, self-paced
Cost
Free
Earns
Foundations Badge

Before you start

How a week is completed

Three requirements, every week, before the next one unlocks.

  1. 01

    Finish all lessons

    Watch, read, and mark each lesson complete.

  2. 02

    Pass the knowledge check

    Score 80% or higher on the week's quiz. Retries are unlimited.

  3. 03

    Apply it to your business

    Submit the written exercise showing how you'll use what you learned.

Preliminary self-training

Four weeks. Four foundations.

A self-paced foundation covering the essentials every entrepreneur needs to thrive online.

  1. Week 1

    E-Commerce Foundations

    Learn how to turn your products into digital listings that sell. Understand payment processing, shipping logistics, and the basics of running an online storefront.

    Lessons

    • Online Selling 101
    • Anatomy of a Product Listing
    • Payments & Shipping Made Simple

  2. Week 2

    Retail Fundamentals

    Master the math and mechanics of profitable retail. Set prices that work, manage inventory with confidence, and build a customer experience that keeps people coming back.

    Lessons

    • Pricing for Profit
    • Inventory Without the Headache
    • Customer Experience That Sells

  3. Week 3

    Social Media Marketing

    Meet your customers where they already spend time. Learn how to choose platforms, create content that resonates, and turn followers into paying customers.

    Lessons

    • Choosing Your Platforms
    • Content That Connects
    • Building a Following That Buys

  4. Week 4

    AI for Your Business

    Demystify artificial intelligence and put it to work for you. Discover practical AI tools that save time, improve marketing, and help you compete in the digital age.

    Lessons

    • What Is AI & Why It Matters
    • AI Tools for Productivity
    • Using AI for Marketing & Sales

The full learner journey

From your first lesson to one-on-one consulting — four stages designed to take you from learning to earning.

  1. Stage 1

    Preliminary Training

    4-week self-paced online program. Learn e-commerce, retail, social media, and AI fundamentals.

    Start Here

  2. Stage 2

    Foundations Badge

    Complete every lesson, pass each knowledge check (80%+), and submit your 'Apply to Your Business' exercises.

    Earned by completing all 4 weeks

  3. Stage 3

    On-Site Academy

    12-week live academy with hands-on labs, peer cohorts, and instructor-led sessions at Southern Lion.

    Unlocked after badge

  4. Stage 4

    Consulting Sessions

    One-on-one business assessments and personalized growth planning with ITDP consultants.

    Final stage

Credential

What the badge is worth

Complete all four weeks of the preliminary self-training program to earn the Foundations Badge — a verified credential that unlocks the next stage of your journey.
Verified completion
Every lesson, quiz and exercise tracked and confirmed.
Unlocks the Academy
Badge holders qualify for the 12-week on-site Academy.
Shareable certificate
Print or share your achievement with partners and lenders.

The preliminary self-training program is free for all Southern Lion vendors and community entrepreneurs.

Get started