Applying Project Management for Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Businesses
Four-Part Virtual Workshop Series | Wednesdays | 12pm-1:30pm
April 22, April 29, May 13, May 20
Starting and growing a business takes more than a great idea. It requires structure, priorities, and a way to turn plans into action. This workshop series introduces practical project management tools to help you move your business forward.
Designed for Growth
The RISE Applying Project Management Workshop Series is designed for individuals looking to strengthen how they plan, execute, and manage business growth.
This four-part workshop series introduces you to practical project management approaches that help transform…
- ideas into structured initiatives,
- marketing plans into executable roadmaps, and
- day-to-day activities into measurable progress.
Each session focuses on practical application of Project Management tools and approaches for:
- organizing initiatives,
- clarifying next steps,
- planning launches,
- managing risks, and
- tracking progress from idea through execution.
Workshop Schedule
Workshops will be hosted on Wednesdays, 12pm-1:30pm EST, using Zoom, a free virtual meeting platform.
- April 22, 2026 – From Idea to Plan: Structuring Your Business Initiative
- April 29, 2026 – Planning Your Go-to-Market: Turning Strategy into Action
- May 13, 2026 – Staying on Track: Managing Risk and Accountability During Growth
- May 20, 2026 – Measuring Progress: Tracking Results and Preparing for Growth
Benefits
Participants will learn how to:
• Translate business ideas into structured plans
• Define milestones and execution timelines
• Manage scope, risk, and limited resources
• Build operational discipline as their business grows
What You Will Learn
Workshop 1: From Idea to Action: Structuring Your Business Initiative
Every successful initiative begins with a clear plan. In this session, founders will learn how to take an idea and turn it into a structured project with defined goals, priorities, and milestones.
Participants will explore how to clarify objectives, define scope, identify key stakeholders, and create a simple roadmap for moving from concept to execution.
Participants will leave with:
A draft project outline and milestone plan for a current business initiative.
Live session date and time:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12:00-1:30PM EST
Workshop 2: Planning Your Go-to-Market: Turning Strategy into Action
Participants will learn how to organize launch activities, define priorities, and build a practical timeline that connects marketing efforts with operational readiness.
Participants will leave with:
A simple 30-60-90 day action roadmap connecting marketing and operational priorities.
Live session date and time:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12:00-1:30PM EST
Workshop 3: Staying on Track: Managing Risk and Accountability During Growth
As businesses grow, founders must balance opportunity with risk and maintain accountability across their initiatives.
This session introduces practical approaches for identifying risks early, maintaining regular progress check-ins, and ensuring teams stay aligned with commitments and goals.
Participants will leave with:
A simple progress tracking and accountability framework they can use with partners, team members, or advisors.
Live session date and time:
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
12:00-1:30PM EST
Workshop 4: Measuring Progress: Tracking Results and Preparing for Growth
In this final session, founders will explore how to track progress, identify meaningful indicators of success, and reflect on lessons learned as they prepare for the next stage of growth.
Participants will leave with:
A simple progress dashboard and growth readiness reflection they can use to guide next steps.
Live session date and time:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
12:00-1:30PM EST
Who Should Attend
Workshops are open to all businesses, entrepreneurs, and future founders in the Southern Virginia region.
- Growth-oriented business owners ready to scale
- Founders and early-stage companies preparing to launch
- Existing businesses planning to pivot or expand
For this RISE workshop series, all industries are welcome. Our priority industries include:
- Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
- Agriculture & Food Processing
- Controlled Environment Agriculture
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Business & Professional Services
- Health Care Innovation
- Information Technology & Communications
Flexible, Online Learning with Expert Guidance
with Nikouri Brown, PMP, PMI-PMOCP
Nikouri Brown, PMP, PMI-PMOCP
Founder and Principal, Creative PM Solutions
RISE Workshop Delivery Partner
Creative PM Solutions
Independent Contractor to RISE via the SOVA Innovation Hub
About this Online Workshop Series
- A virtual meeting platform such as Zoom will be used to host the workshops. Registered workshop participants will receive an email confirmation link prior to each virtual session.
- Registered workshop participants will receive access to the live session recording, slides, and handouts in our online classroom. Participant discussion will not be included in the recording.
- If you attend all four workshops and complete the online classroom assignments, you will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion to to celebrate your learning and display on your LinkedIn profile.
- If you register for a workshop, but cannot attend a live session, you can complete a makeup and be eligible for the certificate of completion.
About the Workshop Facilitator
Nikouri Brown is the Founder and Principal of Creative PM Solutions, a Virginia-based execution strategy firm that turns complex ideas into revenue-generating results.
Creative PM Solutions partners with leaders and institutions to design and guide strategic programs that require coordination, structure, and measurable outcomes.
Nikouri is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and growth-oriented businesses in strengthening the operational foundations needed to start and scale sustainable ventures.
Education and Certifications
Nikouri Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Enterprise Business Management, providing a foundation in financial, operational, and organizational leadership. Professional credentials include Project Management Professional (PMP) and PMI PMO Certified Professional (PMI-PMOCP). Since 2011, Nikouri has contributed to the global project management community through volunteer leadership with multiple Project Management Institute chapters.
Corporate Experience
With more than 16 years of experience leading complex initiatives across consulting, enterprise, government, and innovation sectors, Nikouri Brown focuses on translating vision into practical delivery and measurable impact. Professional experience includes leadership of nationwide telecommunications infrastructure initiatives supporting LTE network deployment and optimization, as well as enterprise transformation and large-scale ERP implementations across government contracting, technology, and architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) environments.
Startup Experience
Nikouri Brown founded Creative PM Solutions, a Virginia-based executiion startedy firm that turns complex ideas into revenue-generating results. Through Creative PM Solutions, Nikouri partners with leaders and institutions to design and guide strategic programs that require coordination, structure, and measurable outcomes. Engagements span innovation ecosystems, enterprise environments, higher education, and professional communities, helping ideas move from concept to operational reality.
In parallel with technical and enterprise program leadership, Nikouri collaborates with academic institutions, professional communities, and youth education initiatives to advance experiential learning, sustainability-focused leadership, and practical execution skills that connect education, industry, and innovation.
Nikouri regularly contributes as a speaker and panel participant, sharing insights on project leadership, operational excellence, and organizational best practices with practitioner and industry audiences.
Learn more at creativepmsolutions.com
Register for Applying Project Management Workshop Series
Wednesdays, 12:00-1:30pm EST | April 22, April 29, May 13, May 20
Program Partners and Sponsors
The RISE Project Management Workshop Series, developed in partnership with Creative PM Solutions, is part of the RISE entrepreneurship programming supported by the SOVA Innovation Hub in partnership with GO Virginia.
GO Virginia
Statewide Economic Development Program
SOVA Innovation Hub
Regional Non-Profit & Coworking Space in South Boston, VA
RISE: Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Building Initiative
Creative PM Solutions
Independent Contractor to RISE via the SOVA Innovation Hub