“This experience has been life changing. Not only have I seen immense growth in myself as a business owner, I have grown a lot as a person. Each session gave me focus, direction and support in planning a course of action to tackle my goals. These classes gave me the confidence to see myself as a real business. I would not have been able to reach these major milestones without CEI.”
– Lucy Phung, Visual Artist, 2021 CEI Cohort

Opportunity for Business Training & $1,500 in Funding!

Developed by Charlotte Is Creative and made possible with funds from Wells Fargo, the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) will reward up to 10 creatives with 10 sessions of business and project management training, support and promotion created by local subject matter experts, plus additional support and promotion.

CEI cohort members will be paid $75 to attend each class and will receive a $1,500 grant upon successful completion of the program.⁣ These funds can be used to enhance a specific project or to enhance their creative business with equipment purchases, legal fees, infrastructure, etc. Cohort members will be expected to attend AT LEAST 7 of the 10 classes to receive their grant.

Topics include: ⁣

⁣✅ Budgeting and Billing⁣
✅ Goal Setting and Planning⁣
✅ Contracts and Legal Documents⁣
✅ Business Communication⁣
✅ Marketing and Public Relations⁣
✅ Available Charlotte Resources for Creatives⁣
✅ Measuring Impact Against Goals⁣
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Participants will also receive:

✅ The opportunity for individual project management and public relations consultation to aid their creative business.
✅ Coverage on Charlotte Is Creative’s media channels to aid their project and brand reputation.
✅ Access to learning materials to use after the class.
✅ A Charlotte-based networking directory to use on future projects.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for artists and creatives with big ideas and a desire to hone entrepreneurial proficiency and build sustainable creative businesses. ⁣To be eligible, applicants must reside in Mecklenburg County and have a track record of previous work to share. Previous CEI cohort members are ineligible for this program.

Dates and Deadlines

The application deadline is Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 8 p.m. Applications received after that point will not be eligible. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants with questions should reach out to hello@charlotteiscreative.com
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The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative runs January-April 2022. Classes will be held in a location just outside Uptown on Morehead St. Class dates are subject to change:

• 1/9/2023 – 6:30-8pm
• 1/23/2023 – 6:30-8pm
• 1/30/2023- 6:30-8pm
• 2/6/2023 – 6-8:30pm
• 2/20/2023 – 6:30-8pm
• 3/6/2023 – 6:30-8pm
• 3/20/2023 – 6:00-8:30pm
• 3/27/2023 – 5-8pm
• 4/3/2023 – 6:30-8pm
• 4/17/2023 – 6:30-8pm

If you have questions about the application, we’re offering two ZOOM information sessions:

• Monday, November 14 at 5 p.m. – REGISTER HERE.
• Monday, November 21 at Noon – REGISTER HERE.

APPLY NOW!

APPLY HERE. Applications are due NO LATER than Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 8 p.m. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.

The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative was made possible with funding from