Learn the fundamentals of business—without the jargon
"What is Business?" is a 10-lesson crash course outlining how business and the economy actually work.
You can't navigate a system you can't see, this course is designed to uncover your blind spots. We'll equip you with the economic literacy and strategic frameworks to evaluate risk, spot opportunity, and make highly calculated decisions—even in an unpredictable world. Get your first 3 lessons entirely free, then unlock the full course for just $49.
Turn uncertainty into strategy.
Start with 3 free lessons. Unlock the full 10-class course for just $49.
Learn the basics in hours, not semesters
We designed this course as a no-nonsense gateway to understanding the fundamentals of business and applying them directly to your life and work.
Each of the 10 lessons includes a concise video breakdown and a practical assignment so you can immediately execute 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 look at 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. We'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.
Ready to improve your business literacy?
Stop getting bogged down by theory and start executing. Sign up today to test drive the curriculum risk-free.
What's next
Get started today. Your first 3 classes are on us.
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Watch the first 3 lessons
Watch, read, and complete 3 lessons to see if the course is right for you.
Unlock the full course for $49
Watch, read, and complete the course.
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Pricing options
Flexible pricing to meet your budget
Not just another online course.
We built Business 101 because we were tired of theoretical jargon that doesn't help real founders. We want to make business literacy accessible, practical, and actionable.
That’s why we’re giving you the first 3 classes for free—so you can experience the value firsthand before committing $49 to the full curriculum. We are constantly listening to our students' feedback to ensure this remains the most valuable, zero-fluff business course on the internet.
