SUMMIT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
keynote speakers
how to Find Your Creative Style By Getting Totally Lost with Illustrator and Podcaster Andy J. Pizza
Andy J Pizza, Creative pep talk
The path to finding the work that flows with ease is surprisingly not always an easy one, according to illustrator Andy J. Pizza. In this talk, Andy shares the personal story of how avoiding failure at all costs got in the way of his creative success, and how his drawing project that was as much equal parts daily, as it was fail-y, was the key to finding his style and ultimately a thriving creative practice.
Selling Out (Finding Your Brand Without Losing Your Soul)
Allie Mounce and Clare Freeman , pretty useful co
In a sell-sell-sell world of unhinged algorithms and lightning fast trends, how do we foster real connection and create an online presence that's true to who we are? Allie and Clare will walk you through their process to build an authentic brand and provide exercises that will help you define your values, grow your brand sustainably, and connect with people that care.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SUNDAY 11:30 AM
Storytelling for Makers: Public Speaking
Martha Weeks, JAM Camp Communications and University of Tennessee
Studies show that telling stories helps us be better communicators, but how do makers incorporate the art of storytelling into interactions and presentations? In this session, makers will learn how to tell powerful stories about your craft, your customers, business partners – and yourselves. You will learn how to understand your audience, intention and message; apply story structure to organize information; and integrate “micro stories” and data into talks and conversations.
IS THERE FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR MY BUSINESS?
SUE MALONE, STRATEGIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Practical Information on how to secure financing for your business, not the same old talking head! Discussion on what works best for the business you own or would like to start.
Selling Online: The 3 Metrics That Matter
david harman, native maps
For most makers, having an online store is essential, but selling online can feel like four dimensional chess - even for the seasoned entrepreneur. The good news is: you don’t have to do everything perfectly (looking at you, Instagram), you just have to know what works for your store and where to focus your precious attention. In this workshop, you’ll learn the 3 core metrics that matter (and determine exponential growth), and you’ll walk away with an in-depth roadmap (printed out) that simplifies the complex web of factors influencing every sale. With this roadmap in mind, we will dive deep into a few key ingredients, including the ever-important Product Page.
sunday 12:45 pm : food industry
The Basics of Starting A Food Business
bailey foster, Real good kitchen
Everything you need to know, and why a food truck is not always the best option.
SUNDAY 1:30 PM
Teaching Workshops
ashton ludden, Relay Ridge: Collaborative Artist Space
In this session, learn how to teach workshops while making them simultaneously casual, fun, valuable, and educational. Guests of this break-out session will leave with various techniques on how to break the ice with students, manage appropriate workloads and timeframes, and insight on how to provide both individual and group learning experiences. Discover how to best translate your valued skill into a shared knowledge others can understand with some helpful demo Do's and Don'ts. Leave this session with a better understanding how to effectively share something you love with others while both you and your students have a fabulous, stress-free time.
Your Legal Foundation for Success and Growth
haseeb qureshi, forthlaw PLLC
Practical Information on how to secure financing for your business, not the same old talking head! Discussion on what works best for the business you own or would like to start.
Smartphone Product Photography
Saray taylor-roman, taylor-roman portrait
Selling goods and services online starts with quality photos. Tricks and tips on how to make studio quality photos at home – and on a budget!
SUNDAY 2:30 PM
Design for Life: creative strategies to clarify your dreams and make them happen
Zachary Townesmith, Seven Springs retreats
Deepen your understanding of your own creative process and how to apply it in all facets of your life. Explore the habits and attitudes that block your creative flow. Learn about Flow Design: a tool to envision your deeper life purpose and design a 90 day mission to begin living your dreams.
Wholesale VS. Retail? Find the Best Fit for Your Product
Allyson Virden, Olde Virden’s Tennessee Pepper Company
What is better for your product, wholesale or retail? How to price for both. What sales channels are the best fit? Common practices for selling online and in brick and mortar locations.
Digital Ads: Mapping Out Your Own Strategy
Rhett Talbert, Loch & Key productions, Marketing
Three words to describe social media currently: IT’S A MESS. How do you reach customers when they are being bombarded? What are the best promotional strategies available today? Every marketing plan today MUST include a digital strategy - and if you want to grow your business, you need to incorporate the right digital marketing tools. Digital marketing tools are designed to help you create awareness and boost your business - and good news! You probably already have access to some of the best ones. Let’s build a plan that can help you connect with your customers in their preferred communication channels. This session, presented by Loch & Key Productions, will help you learn new ways to reach new consumers, connect, and build relationships.
speakers, conversations, and activities
saturday
Connection through Story
Jarius Bu$h, good guy collective
Effectively cultivate an authentic connection with your target audience through story.
Boundaries Start with Budgets
amelia bartlett, Business Strategist & Community Weaver
Explore your business vision & values through this hands-on reflective exercise. We'll uncover pivotal milestones in your personal timeline, identify how your experience has shaped your present, and leave with a foundation upon which you can build healthy boundaries.
Whole You:Whole Business
booth andrews, the booth andrews company
Exploring the concept of leveraging wholeness for business success and impact.
Your brand. It needs to move.
lindsay brine, lindsay brine design
What defines a brand and why should someone care? No matter what market you’re in, you are required to have a brand that stands out. Branding can be simple and complex, it can be quiet and loud, it can compel and be at work in the background. It’s not an easy task to develop a true brand voice, so let’s discuss how to be successful, how to set expectations around your brand efforts and how to continue to evolve, grow and move your brand forward. Why? Because brands that stand still, die. Let’s get moving!
Customer experience, Buyer/Maker Relationship
Leanne Mcqueen and meredith tizedes, mcqueen pottery and blackberry farm
A conversation about inspiration, product development, and expectations.
The discussion will focus on the working relationship between maker and buyer with the wholesale market. We will discuss the development of inspirations and the process a maker and buyer collaborate on to create new products and address the expectations of delivering and growing a product line.
Redefining Community - Connection over Competition
Erika Biddix, Aught Entrepreneurs
In 2022, the definition of community has changed tremendously - and folks are looking for it more than ever. Let's chat about how we can purposefully create space to encourage relational and business community - focusing on people over business, and connections over competition.
Panelists
Intentional Allyship Through Resources, Vendors, Partnerships, and Networking
Jasmine Newton, Javon Renee Portraits (moderator); Damon Rawls, The Innovation Digital Agency; Adrian Hall, Movement Mortgage; Mary Thom Adams, Spark; Claudia Caballero, Centro Hispano de East Tennessee; Dr. Angelique Adams, Angelique Adams Media Solutions, LLC
Learn from leaders in our community on why and how you can be intentional with your business relationships - get outside of regular circles and expand your view of options in places of partnership, resources, networking, and vendors.
Come away with an understanding of how to be a better ally and approach diversity in thoughtful way.
Make the Journey
Jalynn Baker, Jalynn Baker Photography (moderator); Curtis Glover, Curtis Glover Creative; Marcus Hall, Marc Nelson Denim, Eugenia Almeida, A New Hue
They’ve seen sunshine, they’ve seen rain. Listen and learn from the successes and failures in the journeys of some of our favorite local makers. An insightful and inspiring discussion to close out this year’s Summit!