Market Masterminds: Where Do I Start?

Before you even start planning for a market, there is usually an application process. We have heard from makers that it is intimidating to find a starting point! Hear from three market professionals who will share the dos (and don’ts) of getting into markets! 

Takeaways:

• How to select markets appropriate for your business?
• Expectations makers should have for market hosts and how to spot red flags.
• Organization tactics and avoiding burnout when applying to multiple markets.
• How to get into new markets.
• What you should include in market applications. 
• How to assess if paying for participation is right for you.

Anacostia Arts Center, the Heurich Urban Manufacturing Incubator, and the DC Makers’ Guild are joining forces to host a three part series of free discussions for Makers.

Market Masterminds will guide our community of makers through the months leading up to the holiday season. The series, spanning from June to September, will feature local Makers leading their fellows Makers through a moderated conversation and Q & A where makers will walk away with an outline of next steps related to three different topics!

These sessions are free to attend and will include a maker mingle afterwards!

Meet the Speakers

Renata Philippe, the founder and CEO, is an entrepreneur, wife, mother, army veteran, and accessories designer who draws inspiration from textiles and their connection to traditional craftsmanship. BSC values quality over quantity and creates one-of-a-kind, handcrafted collections that promote sustainable design and stabilize communities. Renata also explores contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship through textile art, finding inspiration in West African, South East Asian, and natural forms.

Renata is currently on exhibit at the Shop Made in DC Art Gallery in Georgetown. When she’s not in her studio or participating in pop-ups, you can find her making memories with her husband Pat, and two daughters as they enjoy all the DMV (DC, Maryland, & Virginia) has to offer.

Topaz M. Terry was born in DC to creative parents, and raised in an arts centric household. Despite that upbringing, she went into the field of education as a career, and spent two decades as a manager in youth serving organizations and charter schools in Boston and the DC area. All the while, there were re-purposing projects on the side. BicycleTrash matured from a side project to its own viable entity in 2015, and is a brand of high quality accessories, using would-be trash metal, rubber, and leather to create new durable items, such as belts, bags, bottle openers, and bottle carriers.

Sue-Ling, the face behind Blue Moon Aquarius. BMA combines my love for jewelry, design, and craftsmanship. Prior to working with polymer clay, I first started my clay journey in 2018 with pottery. I worked in hospitality for many years and have mostly worked for small businesses during that time. I’ve always had a dream of starting my own business and after being furloughed due to the pandemic, I decided there was no better time than now.