This post introduces you to the Arts Business Institute, but first, a quick background. Each month, the Indie Business Network hosts a Success Call for its members. Success Calls are about an hour long and feature a guest who is an expert in a particular area that Maker/Handmade Entrepreneurs need to embrace and implement in order to lead a sustainable business. Last month, our Success Call guest was Wendy Rosen, the founder of the American Handmade Show (which will be hosted next month in Washington, DC), and a faculty member at the Arts Business Institute.
Toward the end of our Success Call, Wendy made an offer no one expected: a full scholarship to the Arts Business Institute for a randomly selected IBN member on the call. A few days later, we received an email from her containing the name of the winner. (See below.) But that's not all. Wendy graciously (and completely unexpectedly) offered a $100 tuition discount to everyone who had entered to win the full scholarship!
The Arts Business Institute is a full two days of instruction tailored specifically for Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs, for only $250. It's already a steal considering the curriculum and stellar instructors, but the generous scholarship and tuition discounts will make it easier for our members to attend.
This post announced the winners, and shares a bit abut the Arts Business Institute.
What is the Arts Business Institute?
The Arts Business Institute was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2002 to serve a crucial, common need in the art- and craft-making communities – practical business education for creative entrepreneurs.
The Arts Business Institute partners with art nonprofits, business development centers and art education organizations across the nation to provide specialized technical assistance and business education for studio artists, craft professionals and creative entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses to a national audience of collectors and galleries.
Arts Business Institute Workshops have been held in cities nationwide, including: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Tennessee, Maryland, North Carolina, Vancouver, Virginia and West Virginia. Next month, it will be hosted in Washington, DC, at the same time as the American Made Show.
Retailers come to the American Made Show from all across the nation to buy products from Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs. The two-day course of study includes critique of your products by retailers, along with individual one-on-one-consultation. It's a perfect venue for IBN members to showcase their wares and up their game for increased success.
We are so excited and grateful to Wendy, the host, founder and producer of the American Made Show and a longstanding Arts Business Institute faculty member, for taking the time to join us on our Success Call, and for the amazing gifts to lucky members who joined the call live and then entered to win afterward.
Visit the Arts Business Institute online and on Facebook.
Visit the American Made Show online and on Twitter here.
Meet the Arts Business Institute Full Scholarship Winner!
The winner of the full scholarship is Michele D. Riley of Pure Essence Candles in Wharton, New Jersey! Michele makes hand-poured soy candles in a variety of colors and fragrances. Candles are made with all natural US grown soybeans (a sustainable resource), 100% cotton wicks and high quality fragrance oils for a clean, long-lasting candle.
Michele's company just launched a few months ago, so this is the perfect opportunity for her to kick of 2015 with a serious kick in the pants! It's going to be a great year, Michele!
Additional Arts Business Institute Winners!
Yvonne Suber of SVonne in Fords, New Jersey
Jill Riley of Alapure Cosmetics in White Plains, New York
Jeanne Kissman of Plum Hill Pure Body Essentials in Idaho
Jenna Amundson of Bear Hill Body Care in Bedford Hills, New York
