Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative
(CEI)
I’m learning so much and renewing my mindset … I’m transforming into a Creative Business Owner rather than a creative with a business.
What CEI Is
The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative is a 10-week business training program for artists and creative entrepreneurs in Charlotte, NC, held twice a year. It was created by Charlotte Is Creative with support from Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Program partners Aspire Community Capital, Interact Studio and the Do Greater Foundation help shape each session with grounded, real-world business instruction.
This isn’t business school. It’s business coaching designed specifically for creatives who want to grow their work with intention.
Charlotte’s creative community is one of the strongest forces shaping the city’s identity. But too often, creatives are asked to build their businesses without a roadmap. They’re brilliant at their craft, yet don’t always have access to the financial tools, planning strategies or professional networks that help entrepreneurs thrive in a fast-growing city like Charlotte, NC.
The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) exists to change that. It meets creatives where they are and helps them move from uncertainty to clarity, from talent to strategy, from good ideas to sustainable action.
Meet the CEI Cohorts
Across cohorts, CEI has welcomed painters, photographers, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, poets, culinary artists and makers of every stripe. Each group brings new energy, new voices and new perspectives. And each becomes part of a growing network that continues long after graduation.
Explore the alumni community:
CEI graduates are launching businesses, earning grants, opening studios, and strengthening Charlotte’s creative economy.
What Participants Receive
CEI is built around structure, accountability and support. It gives creatives the tools to grow their work with confidence, not guesswork.Participants receive:- Ten class sessions covering every major component of running a creative business
- One-on-one consultations with business coaches
- Access to creative mentors with lived experience
- Targeted social capital building through networking and collaboration
- Visibility and promotion through Charlotte Is Creative’s platforms
- A connected alumni community for ongoing support
- Learning materials crafted specifically for creative businesses
- A $50 stipend per class
- A $1,500 completion grant to invest directly into their business or a project
What the Classes Cover
While the curriculum changes slightly between cohorts, each CEI session blends guidance from subject-matter experts with hands-on exercises. Topics include:
- S.W.O.T. analysis and business planning
- Finance and taxes for creatives
- Project management and budgeting
- Marketing and public relations
- Storytelling and pitching
- Business communication
- Legal contracts and business entities
- Grant writing and proposal development
Seven of the ten CEI classes are open to the public and typically draw between 20 and 40 creatives — a mixture of alumni and members of Charlotte’s broader creative community.
Who Should Apply
CEI is a fit for creatives who want to build a sustainable path forward. Ideal applicants:
- Have an active creative practice or business idea, but need to tighten up their plans
- Are ready to build or strengthen their business foundations
- Can share past work
- Live in Mecklenburg County
CEI is open to a wide array of creative practices. We are not accepting applications from those engaged in mental wellness, yoga, raki, food marketing or restaurant development/management.
If you have questions about whether or not your idea is acceptable, contact us.
Prior graduates are not eligible for re-entry, but are invited to participate in open sessions and classes available for audit.
Before You Apply
We want applicants to submit their strongest application. Review these resources before applying: