FOCUS ON CRAFT: Creative Catalyst - A Growth Programme for Creative Entrepreneurs

Designed for ambitious craft, design, and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their business, but are not yet part of the Gather collective.

Delivered over six half-day sessions at MERITS, Naas, this intensive programme will support participants in refining their aesthetic, clarifying their unique selling proposition (USP), strengthening their brand and packaging, developing a digital strategy, and gaining the leadership and business skills required to manage growth.

This 6 session programme will be delivered through an interactive, workshop-style format that encourages collaboration, peer learning, and practical application.

Session 1:

Sell Like a Pro – Markets, Pop-ups and Beyond

This session provides a practical introduction to direct selling at markets, pop-up events and fairs. Participants will explore the benefits of face-to-face selling, how to find and prepare for sales opportunities, and how to engage with customers on the ground. The session covers logistics, pricing, setup, market etiquette, and essential considerations such as insurance and health and safety.

Understand the benefits of direct selling and market opportunities

•              Prepare effectively for selling at events

•              Engage confidently with customers in a live setting

•              Know what is needed to get started and what to expect

Session 2:

Crafting Your Digital Presence – Part 1: Brand and Strategy      

This session focuses on developing a clear and consistent online brand. Participants will define their brand’s voice, visual style, and values, identify their ideal customer segments, and map out their digital marketing goals. The emphasis is on storytelling, strategic messaging, and developing a presence that supports growth.

•              Develop a distinct online brand identity

•              Define brand values and audience profiles

•              Set measurable digital marketing objectives

•              Build alignment between product, brand, and customer expectations

Session 3:

Crafting Your Digital Presence – Part 2: Tools and Sales Platforms        

This session builds on the previous one by exploring the practical tools required to succeed online. Participants will assess e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Etsy and Squarespace, learn how to optimise product listings with strong images and descriptions, and begin to understand analytics and performance tracking.

Outcomes:

•              Choose the right digital platforms for their brand and product

•              Optimise listings for visibility and conversion

•              Learn how to drive traffic through SEO and platform features

•              Begin measuring and improving digital performance

Session 4:

Crafting Connection – Building a Brand Community

This session introduces strategies to deepen customer engagement and build a loyal brand following. Through storytelling, interactive content, email marketing, and live events, participants will learn how to foster a community around their brand that supports growth through retention and word-of-mouth.

•              Build a community-focused brand strategy

•              Use storytelling and customer interaction to build trust

•              Design loyalty and referral strategies

•              Understand how to measure and grow community engagement

Session 5:

Making it Work – Smart Business Skills for Creatives

This session helps creatives strengthen the business side of their operations. Topics include pricing strategies, inventory management, financial planning, customer experience, and time management. Participants will also explore how to assess their strengths and build a team or collaborate in areas where they need support.

•              Price products for profitability

•              Understand and manage cash flow and budgeting

•              Improve operational systems and customer experience

•              Identify personal strengths and resourcing needs for growth

Session 6:

Your Growth Plan – Packaging, Pitching and Scaling Up             

The final session guides participants through the development and presentation of their tailored growth plan. This session supports participants in applying everything they have learned across the programme to create a strategic roadmap for business growth. Participants will revisit their unique aesthetic and brand positioning, evaluate their packaging for scale and export readiness, and finalise a plan that integrates digital strategy, operational improvements, and sales channels.

Participants will also be supported in considering new markets beyond Ireland, building leadership capacity, and aligning their next steps with available supports such as those from the Gather creative cluster. The session concludes with a pitch-style presentation of each growth plan, allowing for peer and expert feedback.

•              Finalise a personalised business growth plan

•              Refine branding, packaging and presentation for scale

•              Integrate strategic priorities into an actionable plan

•              Gain clarity and confidence on next steps and available supports

•              Practice pitching their business direction and receive feedback

Places are extremely limited and booking is essential.