by Lindsey Mudge
HandMade in America announces their brand new fall workshop series tailor-made for creative entrepreneurs. Creative Business at its Best offers three successive, in-depth workshops that will focus on relevant business related topics from strategic marketing, the art of being an entrepreneur, and the craft of running a small business. HandMade is partnering with a variety of local organizations to offer participants a fresh line up of facilitators, topics, and locations throughout Buncombe County.
The first installment of Creative Business at its Best is “The Strategy of Marketing.” This workshop will be held at Echo View Fiber Mill in Weaverville on Friday, September 12 from 1-5 p.m. Facilitators include craft business guru Tara Swiger, communications expert Sarah Benoit, and The Village Potters’ very own Lori Theriault. They will focus on target marketing, strategic communications, and the power of collective marketing.
HandMade’s second workshop, held on Friday, October 24 from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Asheville (location TBD), is “The Art of Entrepreneurship.” This workshop will feature small business consultant Annie Price who will discuss how to build social capital, Dorothy Clark will share the art of micro-businesses, and Brenda Mills, Economic Development Specialist with the City of Asheville will present what artists need to know about public contracting.
“The Craft of Small Business” is HandMade’s final installment of Creative Business at its Best and will be held at A-B Tech Small Business Center in Candler. This all-day workshop is scheduled for Thursday, November 13 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The topics range from cash management and budgeting to records management and taxes, as well as profitability, a round table discussion on small business financing, and an ART TANK business plan competition that is modeled after the TV show Shark Tank!
Registration and information for each workshop can be found at www.handmadeinamerica.org/events.html. Participants can save 10% by registering for all three workshops! Discounts will be offered to HandMade in America members and half scholarships are available. To apply for scholarship participants must submit a short paragraph to Linda LaBelle at llabelle@handmadeinamerica.org on why Creative Business at its Best is important to you.
Creative Business at its Best and its scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Asheville Merchant’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina along with the support of HandMade’s partners: Asheville Area Arts Council, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, Echo View Fiber Mill, and the Small Business Center at A-B Tech.
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HandMade in America grows economies through craft and creative placemaking, transforming both individuals and communities through education, entrepreneurship and economic development. HandMade in America has a 19-year tradition for pioneering innovative ways to empower the people and towns of Western North Carolina through programs that educate and facilitate the needs of creative entrepreneurs and communities. Additional information is available online at handmadeinamerica.org or by calling (828) 252-0121.