Got a business idea? Start with CO.STARTERS
Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey, but the path isn’t always clear. CO.STARTERS Core is a 10-week program that walks you through a proven process to get your business unstuck and off the ground.
The CO.STARTERS Core program prepares aspiring entrepreneurs with insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn their business ideas into action. CO.STARTERS is designed to shorten the time it takes to develop great ideas into thriving businesses by applying lean business model methods popular with high-growth startups.
Participants will learn how to identify key assumptions about why and how their business will work in real-world scenarios. This approach enables participants to rapidly uncover flaws in their concepts and quickly adjust their business models.
Trusted by over 24,000 entrepreneurs, CO.STARTERS Core might be for you if:
You have a business idea, but have no idea how to actually start a business
You have a creative hobby (like photography, baking, pottery, etc.) that you’d love to monetize
You have a side-hustle, but you aren’t sure if you could turn it into a full-time gig
You’ve started a business, but feel stuck trying to scale it or launch a new revenue stream
Upcoming Cohort
📅 Monday Mornings, March 16 – May 18
⏰ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Avon Town Hall, Genesee Street, Avon, NY
💲 Through a generous subsidy from Grow LivCo, this $600 course is available to participants for only $100/person
You must apply to participate – class is limited to 12 participants. Priority will be given to Livingston County businesses and/or residents:
Application opens 1/23
Applications due 2/16
Notification of acceptance 2/20
Payment due 3/6
Please note: registration is for one person only. Due to limited space, we do not allow family, friends, or business partners to attend along with registrant.
Who is it for?
If you are exploring a new idea, you're someone close to starting up, or even just launched a business that is "stuck", CO.STARTERS is right for YOU.
The one essential element is that you have a concept that you are ready to test and that you are willing to study, shape, and fine-tune that idea in a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming environment. If you're creative, community-minded, and serious about turning your passion into a sustainable business, we want you.
What will participants gain?
Mentorship from some of Livingston County's top entrepreneurs.
Pitch refinement and the platform to share your business with a large community.
A safe place to share, experiment, fail, and learn together.
Learn how to ask the right questions to better identify and address key issues.
Connect with people and resources who can help you make progress.
Meet with a local photographer to produce professional headshots.
You'll learn the structure of starting and/or growing a business that can be used in future endeavors.
Understand WHY specific business activities matter, HOW they fit together, and WHETHER they are relevant to their situation.
Your Facilitators
Maureen Wheeler
Maureen Wheeler brings nearly two decades of economic development expertise to her role as Deputy Director for Livingston County. For the past 13 years, she has spearheaded initiatives in downtown revitalization and grant management while empowering local entrepreneurs through dedicated small business support.
Maureen is a certified instructor for several key entrepreneurship programs, including CO.STARTERS Core, CO.STARTERS Bootcamp, and Destination Creation. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs plan for their business start-up and expansion, with a particular focus on effective marketing strategies and deep customer connection.
Having grown up working in her family's small business, Maureen has been immersed in the world of entrepreneurship her entire life. This practical, lifelong experience allows her to bring real-world insights into the classroom, making complex topics easy to understand and apply.
Jessie Held
Jessie Held is the founder of Magic Held Here, a master manifestor and recipient of the 2025 Most Promising New Enterprise in Livingston County award. As a certified instructor of the CO.STARTERS Core program she offers a unique, full-circle perspective having completed the program herself in 2024. Jessie understands the challenges and triumphs of the startup journey firsthand having launched two businesses. This lived experience allows her to offer empathetic, practical guidance in the classroom, empowering local entrepreneurs.
She is passionate about supporting the vision while teaching practical business models, ensuring local starters have the tools, clarity, and community to set their roots in Livingston County.
Want to make sure the program is the right fit for you? Your contact for more information:
Maureen Wheeler
Deputy Director
(585) 243-7127
Email Maureen
Keep Learning with our Supplemental Training Resources
After taking a class or workshop with Grow LivCo, keep learning with the help of our supplemental training resources. You can check out the latest worksheets, videos, and tutorials dedicated to helping your business succeed in Livingston County.