JP Morgan Chase Presents: Business 201
Business 201: Your Next Level Business
About the Event
Business 201 is the second workshop in the CreateHER Fest × JPMorgan Chase Coaching for Impact series, designed for entrepreneurs ready to move beyond survival mode and build businesses with durability, clarity, and intention.
During #75HER, many participants are validating ideas, building prototypes, and exploring what's possible. Business 201 focuses on what comes next for those who already have something running: how to shift from simply operating a business to thinking like an entrepreneur—developing the mindset, structures, and people-first practices required for sustainable growth.
Rather than chasing short-term wins or constantly pivoting, this session equips participants with a clear, practical framework for establishing strong foundations, developing agility in the face of uncertainty, and creating businesses that can adapt, scale, and endure. You'll explore how purpose, profit, operations, and people intersect—and how aligning these elements creates momentum over time rather than constant reinvention.
Grounded in real-world business scenarios and supported by a guided workbook, this workshop helps builders move from "I'm running this day-to-day" to "I'm building something that can grow beyond me." It's designed for anyone ready to strengthen the business they already have.
This session is especially valuable for participants currently in the Idea-thon or preparing for the Hackathon, as well as anyone who has launched and wants to scale sustainably.
What You'll Walk Away With
A clearer entrepreneurial mindset, rooted in purpose, long-term vision, and disciplined decision-making
A deeper understanding of how to establish a strong foundation for business growth, including structure, operations, and financial priorities
Practical tools for developing agility and resilience, helping your business adapt to market shifts, economic uncertainty, and operational challenges
Frameworks for evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform smarter strategy and planning
A people-first approach to building teams, partnerships, and business relationships that support sustainable success
A completed or partially completed workbook you can continue using as a living reference as your business evolves
Who This Is For
Women founders and entrepreneurs who have launched and are ready to strengthen or scale
Small business owners seeking clarity around structure, strategy, and long-term growth
Builders transitioning from solo operator to leader of systems, teams, or collaborators
Professionals preparing their business for funding, partnerships, or expanded impact
Entrepreneurs who want stability and resilience—not just short-term wins
Not for:
First-time founders still in the ideation or pre-launch phase
Participants seeking quick hacks, viral marketing strategies, or overnight scaling tactics
Anyone looking for passive income models or automated business systems without active leadership
What You Need to Participate
The Business 201 / Your Next Level Business workbook (will be provided)
An existing business, side venture, or concept you are actively developing
Willingness to reflect honestly on how your business currently operates and where you want it to go
No advanced finance, operations, or management background required
About the Facilitators
LaTrese Steplight
Vice President & Senior Business Consultant, JPMorgan Chase
LaTrese Steplight brings over 29 years of banking experience and currently leads JPMorgan Chase's Coaching for Impact Program for Cleveland and surrounding areas. She supports entrepreneurs through one-on-one coaching, financial and credit solutions, community partnerships, and year-round business education.
With firsthand experience as a business owner, LaTrese brings a grounded, practical understanding of what it takes to sustain and grow a business. Her work is driven by a commitment to bridging knowledge and wealth gaps and expanding access to opportunity. She also serves as the Women on the Move Field Site Lead for Ohio and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Teresa Morales-Bargar
Vice President & Community Manager, Community & Business Development, JPMorgan Chase
Teresa Morales-Bargar serves as a trusted local ambassador for JPMorgan Chase in Cleveland, with over 18 years of experience across Retail, Consumer, and Business Banking. She specializes in building partnerships with nonprofits, small businesses, and community leaders to drive lasting economic impact.
Her work includes financial health workshops, nonprofit collaborations, and community programming focused on expanding access to opportunity. Teresa serves on multiple advisory councils and has been recognized as one of Crain's 2025 Women of Influence and 100+ Latinos to Know in Cleveland (2025).
Part of a Larger Series
This workshop is part of a CreateHER Fest × JPMorgan Chase series continuing through Women's History Month and the March 2026 BuildHER Parade, covering:
Marketing and digital visibility
Access to capital and financial pathways
Identifying and leveraging windows of opportunity
Each session is designed to meet builders where they are—whether you're exploring an idea, preparing for a hackathon, or laying the groundwork for a sustainable business.