FREE Business Classes for Creatives – Fall 2023
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Free Business Training Classes for Creatives
Established by Charlotte Is Creative in 2021, the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is made possible with funds from Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County with funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). CEI also receives resource support from Aspire Community Capital, Interact Studio and the Do Greater Foundation.
CEI empowers Mecklenburg County-based creatives in their endeavors as small business owners by combining capacity-building classes with grant funding. Cohort members are paid $50 to attend each class and get additional support services, promotion and grant funding during their time in the program. After successful completion of CEI, they receive a $1,500 grant to invest in their creative business.
RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES!
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we provide free, business education for Charlotte-Mecklenburg creatives, regardless of whether you are a member of the current CEI Cohort:
Monthly Creative Convos (Online)
Creative Convos are online talks, trainings and Q&As for Mecklenburg County creatives that are free and open to the public. Each session will be led by local subject matter experts eager to share their knowledge with creatives who are ready to take it all in!
Schedule of Upcoming Creative Convos:
Creative Convo: Ignite Your Creative Flow
Thursday, Dec 7 (6-7pm)
Register HERE.
Register HERE.
As the year comes to an end, it is natural to feel overwhelmed or exhausted. Charlotte artist and creative coach, Umayal Annamalai, challenges us to live in the present moment and to create space for connection and compassion. She will share insights on ways to shift these feelings of exhaustion into creating emotional awareness for inner and outer attunement. She will take us through a “Creating Mindful Flow” exercise that will allow for deep reflection and regulation and get us inspired for the new year!
Creative Convo: Effective Time & Task Management
Thursday, January 4 (6-7pm)
Register HERE.
Register HERE.
It’s a brand new year. Kick off this year with inspiration and tools from Brie Chrisman, Founder & CEO of BC Creative. Discover essential time and task management strategies designed for individuals seeking to boost personal productivity, unlock effective time management techniques, and pave the way for long-term personal success.
Creative Convo: From Hobby to Market
Thursday, January 18 (6-7pm)
Register HERE.
Register HERE.
Brace yourself for a delicious conversation with Rachael Green, founder of Rach Green Cocktails! Rachael will break down the importance of cultivating a circle of influence – this is a group of true supporters who inspire what you do and can benefit from your creative product or service!
Creative Convo: The 3 Pitfalls of “Professional Branding”
Thursday, January 25 (6-7pm)
Register HERE.
Register HERE.
Lisa Speer, founder of Speerhead Solutions, believes that branding brings out the soul of your business. Join her as she breaks down the 3 pitfalls of “professional” branding and how you can build a brand for your creative business that reflects your mission and personality.
Resources from Past Creative Convos
Did you miss a Creative Convo or do you want to brush up on something great you learned during one of our past Creative Convos? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Click on the images below to check out the detailed presentations put together by our past instructors.
Recordings of Past Creative Convos
- How to Build a Project Budget by Priya Sircar
- Embracing an Anti-Burnout Lifestyle by Erayna Sargent.
- Tips on Hosting an Event by Makayla Binter
- Financial Planning by Rob Bacharach
- Embrace Your Creative Worth by James Edge & Brian Li
POWER PANELS
In 2023, Charlotte Is Creative held two Power Panels that convened creatives, nonprofits and the business community around topics that are crucial to the sustainability of creative entrepreneurs. These 3-hour events included a panel discussion with expert subject matters and breakout sessions where participants gained direct access to the panelists for deeper discussion.
The Power Panel is part of our Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative, supported by Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). We are grateful for the ongoing support from Wray Ward.
The Grant Funding Power Panel brought together local, state, regional and federal grantmakers to shed light on the multitude of available grants, to demystify the grant writing/application process, and to answer the burning questions of creatives in Charlotte. The panelists included Charles Thomas (Knight Foundation), Patricia Massey Hoke (Women’s Impact Fund), Eleanor Billington (National Endowment of the Arts), Dara Silver (NC Arts Council), Adam Santalla Pierce (Arts & Science Council), Erin Chantry (City of Charlotte), Tracy Russ (Foundation For The Carolinas), Emmitt Stevenson (South Arts), and Priya Sircar (City of Charlotte). View the recording of the Grant Funding Power Panel discussion here.
The Creative Business Power Panel was designed to address some of the most common legal, financial, insurance, and real estate questions in the creative community. The panelists included Rob Bacharach (Financial Planner), Karen Schuller Boardman (Alignment Legal), Jaime Boast (JLL), Terri Brown (The Enola Group), Hannah Cole (Sunlight Tax), Shonna Splain (Star Insurance Group). This event was funded in part by NC Arts Council and we are grateful for the support from Charlotte Art League and Aspire Community Capital.
A CREATIVE’S TOOLKIT
Check out some essential tips and tools to help you grow your creative business and endeavors!
Fall 2023 CEI Sessions Open for Public Audit (In-Person)
Space is limited. All classes below are open for audit for up to 30 creatives.
Register to Audit an Open Fall 2023 CEI Class
We ask that you do not register to attend unless you are sure you can make the course as seating is limited. Classes will be held at DoGreater CRTV Lab (2400 Greenland Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208).