2025 Professional Craft Artist Business Summit: Business Planning Basics

We're back in person for the 2025 Professional Craft Artist Business Summit!

Feb 18: All-day Workshops from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Experience a one-day conference specifically designed to address the needs and challenges faced by current and prospective craft artist business owners. Arts-based businesses are unique ventures and require special business planning methods.

This event focuses on training the Maker, Artist, & Crafter for how to position your business for more profit… through more sales and more customers.

With over 650,000 businesses involved in the creation or distribution of the arts, the creative industry employs more than 3.48 million people. Arts businesses and the creative people they employ stimulate innovation, strengthen competitiveness in the marketplace, and play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy.

There are many pieces and parts to having a successful career that go beyond just being a talented artist. The complexities of your business are not always managed on a spreadsheet, and often you don't have the knowledge to handle certain situations or make the best decisions.

AGENDA

9:00 - 9:30 AM: Welcome and Introductions

9:30 - 10:30 AM: Participants choose between Sessions 1 and 2

Session 1: Turning Your Passion into a Business

• Defining Your Vision and Mission
• Setting Goals for Your Creative Business
• Identifying Your Target Market

Session 2: Scaling and Growing Your Business

• Planning for Growth and Scaling Up
• Collaborations and Partnerships
• Long-Term Business Strategies for Success

10:45 - 11:45 AM: Participants choose between Sessions 3 and 4

Session 3: Business Planning Basics

• Creating a Simple Business Plan
• Setting Realistic Goals
• Logistical Considerations

Session 4: Pricing Your Products for Profit

• Understanding Costs and Setting Prices
• Pricing Strategies That Work for Artists and Makers
• Value-based Pricing and Customer Perception

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

1:00 - 2:00 PM: Session 5

Session 5: Branding and Marketing Your Creativity

• Building Your Brand Identity
• Creating an Online Presence
• Marketing Strategies for Creative Businesses

2:00 - 3:00 PM: Session 6

Session 6: Selling at the Market, Fair, and Gallery

• Selling at Craft Fairs, Markets, and Galleries
• Building Relationships
• Peaking Customer Interest

This is an all-day in-person event at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina.

Burrell Building - 102 A, B, C