In the midst of Global Entrepreneurship Week, NEXT is showing support for budding entrepreneurs with the new educational series “Founders Forum.”

Framed as “Entrepreneurship 101” classes, Founders Forum gives early-stage founders the opportunity to learn how to scale their startups and strengthen their relationships with Greenville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each month’s session features a different group of subject matter experts in key areas like fundraising, sales and marketing, operations and leadership that supply entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed.

November’s expert was sales trainer and serial entrepreneur John Sterling. Sterling shared his best practices to sell your first ten customers, hire your first salesperson and define your startup’s approach to sales. He provided firsthand knowledge of growing Datastream into a management software supernova and selling it for over $200 million.

Sterling also provided information about Noob School, an online resource that helps new salespeople “launch their career like a rocket ship”. Noob School serves as a platform for Sterling to chat with members of his former sales teams to share what entrepreneurs can learn from their accomplishments and their mistakes.

Networking followed Sterling’s presentation, allowing attendees the chance to connect with other founders, investors and ecosystem partners.

Stay tuned for more information about the December Founders Forum at the NEXT Innovation Center at 411 University Ridge in Greenville, SC.