Blue Ridge Craft Trails Workshops

Thursday, March 16

Weaverville Community Center
60 Lakeshore Dr
Weaverville, NC 28787
 
10 am – Noon
 
Bringing it All Together: Assessing and Planning Your Business with Alex Cardona
 
Cost: $10

Wouldn’t a road map to starting a business be nice? At this business development and assessment workshop, we will dive into what systems are needed to create and maintain efficient business operations. You will learn about local resources, identify areas of your business that need to be developed and establish an action plan to achieve your goals.

Instructor: Alex Cardona, CEO of Cardona Business Solutions, empowers individuals and businesses by helping them access the justice system, hosts a local radio show named the Golden Key, and is a respected business developer in the community.
 
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Thursday, March 16

Weaverville Community Center
60 Lakeshore Dr
Weaverville, NC 28787
 
2 – 4 pm
 
Contracts for Creatives with Katherine de Vos DeVine
 
Cost: $10

Contracts help us establish expectations when sharing our work and collaborating with others. Join lawyer Dr. Katherine de Vos DeVine to explore the how, when, where, and why of contracts for creative businesses. This presentation will help you understand the elements of a good contract, know when you need a contract and improve your contract negotiation skills.

Instructor: Katherine de Vos DeVine is a lawyer and art historian based in Asheville, NC. Her firm, de Vos DeVine Law, PLLC provides creative entrepreneurs with holistic legal services that meet their specific needs.
 
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Thursday, March 30 – BEING RESCHEDULED

Southwestern Community College
60 Almond School Rd #9544
Bryson City, NC 28713
 
10am – 4pm with a lunch break

The Creative’s Accountant: Financials Demystified, Pricing for Profit and Growth Mindset with
April Lambert
 
Cost: $20

This workshop will cover the basics of setting up a simple bookkeeping system, how to track tax write-offs, filing quarterly taxes and tracking your finances regularly to pull monthly and quarterly reports in order to make informed financial decisions about the growth of your business. April will also address designing a comprehensive pricing system so you can be sure you are pricing for profit.

Instructor: April Lambert has 20 years of professional accounting experience in the nonprofit, corporate, public and craft sectors. She has guided numerous entrepreneurs to launch and grow their own successful ventures. April is passionate about helping creatives strengthen their capacity for planning, management and accountability with clear and compelling financial stories.
 
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Tuesday, April 11

The HUB Station
145 Cedar Valley Rd
Hudson, NC 28638

10 am – 5 pm with a lunch break

Cell Phones Not Just for Selfies with Joshua White
 
Cost: $20

Documenting your work can be simpler than you think! During this workshop we will discuss tools and techniques to create images to highlight your work, products, or business in the best way possible. We will cover using a smartphone, editing apps, and various apparatus. We will work together to create some images of your work, discuss setting up your own documentation studio at home and offer feedback on images.

Instructor: Joshua White’s work has been published in National Geographic and featured by Wired, Scientific American, and Gizmodo. His exhibition record includes solo shows across the U.S., as well as many national and international juried exhibitions. White is an Associate Professor of Photography at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
 
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Tuesday, April 25

North Carolina School of Science and Math
901 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
 
10 am – Noon
 
Social Media Content Creation with Sarah Benoit
 
Cost: $10

Social media opens many doors for you to tell your story, share your passion, build a fanbase for your work and sell your products and services. Learn how to create a social media content strategy that is manageable, engaging and helps you accomplish your goals.

Instructor: Sarah Benoit is co-founder and lead instructor of the JB Media Institute, a digital marketing school, and president of Creative Original, Inc., a small business web design and consulting firm. She is an SEO, social media, and marketing and communications strategist who has worked in the field since 2003. Sarah has also led classes, workshops and presentations about many aspects of digital marketing throughout North Carolina and the U.S. since 2006.
 
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Tuesday, April 25

North Carolina School of Science and Math
901 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
 
2pm – 4pm
 
Instagram Deep Dive with Liz Kantner
 
Cost: $10

Liz Kantner, owner of STAY GOLD will provide an overview of Instagram and how to create consistent content that will lead to sales. Learn how to develop strong messaging, strategically use the tools Instagram provides, key metrics to consider and write impactful calls to action. The workshop will include time for attendees to share their Instagram posts with Liz to gain live feedback.

Instructor: After making her mark as marketing manager for Todd Reed, Liz Kantner left to found her own company, STAY GOLD. Liz now exclusively dedicates herself to a select roster of fine jewelry clients, nurturing them to success through digital marketing, trade show strategy, sales-driving techniques, and branding.
 
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