Not every founder starts with fully realized business plan. Innovation starts with someone who sees a better way.
Many founders simply recognize a problem that needs solving, identify an opportunity others overlook, or ask a simple question: What if there were a better way?
Whether you're exploring your first business idea, developing an innovative product, growing an existing business, or looking for practical strategies to help your organization evolve, the Greater Irvine Chamber's August Founder's Journey Workshop Series provides the tools, guidance, and expert insight to help move your ideas forward.
Designed for aspiring founders, early-stage entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals who want to innovate within their organizations, the three-part series equips participants with practical frameworks for validating ideas, communicating their vision, and building businesses positioned for sustainable growth. Each workshop may be attended individually or as part of the complete series, allowing participants to engage at the stage most relevant to their journey.
Led by experienced founders, innovators, and business leaders from Orange County's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the series combines real-world experience with practical strategies participants can immediately apply.
Workshop Schedule:
Ideation to Action: Do You Have a Business Idea Worth Pursuing?
Thursday, August 13 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Check-in & Networking: 4:00–4:30 p.m.
Workshop: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Location: Greater Irvine Chamber, 36 Executive Park, Suite 100, Irvine
Every successful venture begins with an idea—but not every idea becomes a successful venture.
Presented by John Duplissey, vice president of business development at Zaga Labs, and Francisco Molina, founder of Invento Design, this interactive workshop helps participants determine whether their idea has real market potential and what it takes to move from concept to execution. Participants will learn practical approaches to validating opportunities, testing assumptions, developing product concepts, exploring prototyping, and creating a proof of concept while hearing firsthand how recent founders overcame common barriers to launching their businesses.
Tell Your Story: How to Pitch Your Startup Idea with Clarity & Confidence
Thursday, August 20 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Check-in & Networking 4:00–4:30 p.m.
Workshop: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Greater Irvine Chamber, 36 Executive Park, Suite 100, Irvine
A great idea deserves a compelling story.
Scott Fox, CEO of OC Startup Council, and Lisa Thomas, owner of Main Street Marketing Partners, will help participants transform their ideas into persuasive, memorable presentations that resonate with investors, customers, collaborators, and stakeholders. Learn how to communicate your vision with confidence, articulate your value proposition, and tell the story behind your business in a way that inspires action.
From Stuck to Scalable: Fix the Structure, Not Just the Strategy
Wednesday, August 27 | 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Virtual Workshop (Meeting link provided upon registration confirmation)
Growth isn't always limited by strategy—often it's limited by structure.
In this virtual workshop, Carol Ornstein, founder of Clear Path Methodology, shares practical insights into building the organizational systems, priorities, and decision-making frameworks that support sustainable growth. Participants will learn how to identify structural roadblocks, reduce operational friction, and position their businesses for the next stage of success.
Whether you're considering launching your first venture, developing an innovative solution, scaling an existing business, or simply exploring what's possible, the Founder's Journey Workshop Series offers practical guidance, experienced mentorship, and a collaborative environment to help transform ideas into meaningful progress.
Workshops may be attended individually or as a complete series.
