Start Your Own Business Programme for Creative Industry (2 sessions) from16th April

• Date: Thursday 16h April (in person) and  Friday 17th April (online)
• Time: 9:30am- 4:30pm 
• Venue: Tymon Park Intergenerational Centre, Tymon Park, Wellington Lane, Dublin 6W/  Online
• Cost: €50

Early Stage Craft, design, and creative entrepreneurs (e.g. artists, jewellery makers, fashion designers, printmakers, photographers, crafters)

Aim of Workshop: 

This two-day, high-impact blended programme is designed to help early-stage creative entrepreneurs (e.g. artists, jewellery makers, fashion designers, printmakers, photographers, crafters) build a viable and scalable business around their creative passions. Through practical, tailored support, participants will learn how to develop, test, price and sell their products while building a brand that communicates value and resonates with their audience.

By the end of the 2-day programme, participants will be able to:

• Transition from hobbyist to business mindset with confidence
• Refine and test their product or service for market fit
• Identify and reach their ideal customer segment
• Understand pricing strategies, cost management and break-even principles
• Manage money simply and effectively using basic tools and POS systems
• Tell their creative brand story clearly and effectively
• Develop a strong brand presence online and offline
• Select suitable platforms to start selling (Etsy, Shopify, etc.)
• Explore the basics of exporting and logistics for product sales
• Build a lean business plan to support growth
• Connect with relevant LEO and enterprise supports for ongoing development

Day 1 – In-Person (9:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Theme: From Passion to Profit – Building the Creative Business Foundation

Morning (9:30 – 12:45)Session 1: Welcome & The Creative Entrepreneur Mindset

• Transitioning from passion project to profitable enterprise
• What makes a creative business succeed – lessons from Irish makers
• Identifying personal motivations, values and vision

Session 2: Developing & Refining Your Product Idea

• Generating and evaluating product concepts
• Testing viability: from concept to first prototype
• Diversifying your product range – services, custom work & collaborations

11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break

Session 3: Market Validation in Action

• Who is your customer? Market segmentation for creatives
• Validating demand: low-cost research, surveys, and online testing
• Mini Challenge: research your audience using online tools

12:45 – 1:30 Lunch

Afternoon (1:30 – 4:30)Session 4: From Maker to Market – Selling & Showcasing

• Preparing for markets, fairs, and pop-ups
• Display, packaging and presentation for maximum impact
• Real-world insights from a successful creative founder

3:00 – 3:15 Coffee Break

Session 5: Sourcing & Managing Suppliers

• Balancing quality, sustainability, and cost
• Building supplier relationships & understanding basic stock flow

Wrap-Up: Reflection & Preparation for Online Day

• Setting validation goals before Day 2
• Homework: conduct one piece of customer or competitor research

Day 2 – Online via Zoom (9:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Theme: Pricing, Profit & Growth – Turning Creativity into a Scalable Business

Morning (9:30 – 12:45)Session 1: Pricing & Costing for Profitability

• Calculating costs and margins
• Setting profitable yet customer-friendly prices
• Break-even and cashflow planning made simple

11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break

Session 2: Financial Basics for Creatives

• Managing income & expenses
• Online payments and POS systems (Stripe, SumUp, etc.)
• Funding & grants: LEO supports, Microfinance, etc.

12:45 – 1:30 Lunch

Afternoon (1:30 – 4:30)Session 3: Branding & Storytelling for Creatives

Afternoon (1:30 – 4:30)Session 3: Branding & Storytelling for Creatives

• Crafting your creative brand story
• Communicating values & personality through visuals and content
• Building a brand presence across channels

3:00 – 3:15 Coffee Break

Session 4: Selling Online & Scaling Up

• Choosing the right platform (Etsy, Shopify, website)
• Introduction to exporting and logistics
• Simple business planning tools for next-stage growth

Final Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Peer showcase: one-minute business pitch
• Connecting with LEO & enterprise supports
• Mapping next actions post-programme