Learn the fundamentals of business — without the MBA price tag
We’re opening exclusive early access to our new Business 101 course — a crash course in how business really works, designed for independents, creators, and first-time founders. Join the waitlist today and get the full course completely free before it officially launches. 👇
Get in early. Get in free.
Early access signups close soon. Don't miss your chance to join for free.
Learn the basics in hours, not semesters
We've designed this course course as a gateway to understanding the fundamentals of business and applying them in life and work.
Each class will include a short video and an practical assignment in which you'll apply what you've learned.
Orientation
We start with an overview of the course and a personal reflection on your own relationship to business.
Introduction
What is business to you?
The Big Picture
Next we explore the world of business as if we were looking down from space. We understand how many businesses there are and different ways that they can be categorized.
Sizes and Shapes
Industries and Sectors
Legal Structures
How Businesses Work
In section three we dive deeper, learning about the fundamental components that all businesses need to operate and eventually profit. You'll learn about business models, marketing, value creation, and profitbility.
Business Model Basics
Creating a Customer
The Meaning of Value
The Measure of Profit
The purpose of business
As we conclude the course, we'll ask the bigger question: what is the purpose of business? How can a new understanding of the tools of business open our minds up to new, previously unseen, opportunities?
Why is Business?
Michael is an entrepreneur and thought leader who’s built a career helping leading organizations build powerful brands. Over 25 years, he’s helped dozens of clients build, evolve, and grow enduring, powerful brands for their companies, startups, products, services, non-profits, and cities. He loves finding simple, attractive solutions to complex challenges.
Michael is Managing Partner at the Djinn Dept., a strategic consultancy, and Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurial Marketing at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.
Sign up
Early-access signups close soon. Don't miss your change to join for free.
What's next
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Join the waitlist now
Enter your email to claim your free pre-release access.
We'll email you the moment doors open
You’ll get a personal invite to the early-access version of the course.
Learn the essentials for free
Watch, read, and complete the course at no cost— only available during the pre-release window.
Become part of the community
Get bonus resources, exclusive industry insights, and meet like-minded independents.
You're helping build something bigger
We’re releasing Business 101 early because we want to make it truly great — not just another online course.
To do that, we need real people like you to test it and tell us what works (and what doesn’t).
That’s why we’re offering free access to everyone who joins the pre-release waitlist.
All we ask in return is your honest feedback — what you loved, what confused you, and what could be better.
Your input helps us shape this into the most valuable, practical, and human business course on the internet.
