A team of incredible business consultants from BNP Paribas joins us to lead this workshop session. Our focus will be on developing an action-oriented roadmap for the first 90 days of the year with an emphasis on storytelling our business plans, setting a clear strategy, and S.M.A.R.T. goal setting. Join this session to ensure you're prepared for a successful 2021.
Join a lively discussion with Rochelle Riley, Detroit's Director of Arts and Culture, Jasmine Rashid of Candide Group, and Angelia Sharp from the Detroit Development Fund as we discuss the ins and outs of accessing capital for small businesses in the creative economy. In this session you'll learn:
- What you need to do to prepare yourself
- How to find available funding
- Tips for applying
- Accessing available resources
Attendees will receive access to an exclusive video tutorial on managing small business finances with the opportunity to win a series of 1:1 mentoring sessions with professional accountants from Penske Media Corporation (PMC).
Learn from the best! One of Shark Tank's own Detroit committee members leads us in a training on how to quickly and effectively communicate your brand to others. In this session, you will learn best practices, draft your brand "elevator pitch", and practice it among your community of fellow makers.
Our competition judges include Madewell and Nest's own Director of Sourcing. The winner will receive a private photoshoot with local Detroit photographer, RED by Morgan.
Etsy joins us for an in-depth training on how to make the most out of your experience on their platform. We'll hit on the basics—getting started, selling basics, fee structure—and dive deep into optimizing the experience including:
- How to build your Etsy shop strategy
- Optimize your shop for the buyer journey
- Understand your customer purchasing behavior
- Improve your shop discoverability
- What product photographs perform best
- Creating your shop branding
Lauren DeVor from Detroit's own The Lip Bar joins Larysa Polansy-Hayes, West Elm's head of local artisan buying for a discussion on marketing your business to retail buyers. You won't want to miss this session as we unpack all the “instinctual” elements that inform a buying process and help you better position your business for a successful engagement with retail buyers. We'll cover the process for buying handmade product, including:
- Where buyers go to look for new product
- What they look for when it comes to key trends, assortment, price, quality, and brand story
- The best way to approach buyers and generate interest in your products
- What materials you need to prepare for a successful engagement
Nest’s Makers United program connects and strengthens community among the wide diversity of makers across the United States, building a vibrant and inclusive maker population.
If you did not participate in the Makers United landscape survey last summer, please fill out this shortened version to gain access to the First 60 Days workshop.
