Indie Business [Online Class Details!]

registration is now closed. Please keep checking back here at A Beautiful Mess for details on when this class will run again in the future! Thanks!

XO. elsie 

I am really excited to announce my next online class! Sign ups begin in a few days and the class begins in early March! I am co-teaching this class with Jill of Lune Vintage and Leigh-Ann of Freckled Nest. Both girls are inspiring and business savvy and bring different skills and expertise to our class! I think we make a pretty sweet team. Here are the full details...    

What is Indie Business?
Indie Business is a 6 week Online Class for women and men wanting to build an online or local creative business. We'll focus on Starting, Surviving and Succeeding in small business and cover everything in between! The class is taught by Leigh-Ann, Jill and Elsie and is hosted in a members only blog with 26 sessions, 7 diy projects and 3 live chats to give you all the tools you need to establish yourself and achieve success with your Small Business! The course also includes a printable workbook with original illustrations by Elsie and room for all your homework, notes and ideas!

Meet your Teachers
Leigh-Ann of FreckledNest.com
Leigh-Ann started her small business as a hobby in 2005, but as demand & popularity increased, Freckled Nest quickly became a strong second income and she worked towards making it her career. In 2008, she quit her normal job, became her own boss, and now supports herself solely from her creative abilities and passion for handmade and innovation. Freckled Nest is Leigh-Ann's dream job!

Jill of LuneVintage.com
Jill Munro opened a cute cottage hobby shop in 2004 and over time, has built Lune Vintage, a successful Studio/Shop in the hub of Winnipeg's prominent artists' scene. Marrying her local charm and talent with online networking skills, Jill has accomplished all of her Small Business goals and happily remains at her part time job as a Teachers Assistant, plus she's a wife and mother. Jill's an outstanding example and inspiration for 'making it all happen' and is sure to inspire you with her experiences, talents and dedication to making dreams come true!

Elsie of RedVelvetArt.com
I have been supporting myself as an independent artist for the past 7 years. I started out in the scrapbooking industry, contributing to a variety of magazines, authoring two popular craft books, and designing a hugely successful line of scrapbook product. In 2009, I opened Red Velvet Art, an online boutique that supports & promotes Independent Art, Fashion and Handmade goods. In the past 2 years, I have sold over 15,000 independently produced and handmade items and my lifestyle/craft blog attracts an average of 20,000 hits each day! Independent business is a topic that I am incredibly passionate about and I am excited to co-teach this class and share some things I have learned through the years! 


Details

* Indie Business runs for 6 weeks from March 7th to April 16th (plus our Indie Business Stories and 1 Project in February). You can work at your own pace & the class blog will stay up for 1 year so that you can reference everything and continue to be inspired.

* Supplies needed: Computer, Internet, and a few veryaffordable supplies for the DIY Projects (ex. binder, fabric, needle & thread, paper, etc).

* Most sessions will have 'Homework' to enrich you and your company through out the class but you are not obligated to do the assignments and challenges.

* We want to get to know you! We hope this will be an interactive experience where we can inspire and encourage you and your dreams, helping you see them becoming reality! Through out the sessions and projects, we would love to hear your ideas, development and experiences in the comments of each session. Plus, you will probably enjoy getting to know other members of the class, encouraging one another and maybe even finding like-minded friends and future networking opportunities and support :)

* We have planned 3 live text chats where you can ask all three of us advice & questions, bounce ideas, share your ideas and chat with your classmates!

* Indie Workbook PDF ready for download on February 28th.

* Private blog access will be sent within 36 hours of registration/purchase.

Teachers: Jill - LA - Elsie
(P=Project, S=Session)

February 22 - March 1
Leigh-Ann's Indie Business Story 
Jill's Indie Business Story
Elsie's Indie Business Story

1P: Indie Business Portfolio
X
X
Term 1: March 7 - 20
2S: Open your Umbrella
x
3S: Product & Potential
x
4S: Style & The Importance of a Name
x
5S: Predicting and Embracing Trends
x
6P: Office Inspiration Board
x
7S: Find your Strengths, Weaknesses & Skills - Quiz
x
8S: Main Marketplace - Local
x
9S: Main Marketplace - Online 
x
10S: Pricing + Production + Expectation = Success
x
11P: Business Calender 
x
12S: Presentation through Display
x
13S: Presentation through Photography
x
Term 1 Text Chat w/ LA, Jill & Elsie
X
X
Term 2: March 22 - April 3
14S: Taking Advantage of Online Resources
x
15S: Taking Advantage of Local Resources
x
16S: Working with Etsy
x
17S: Working with Flickr
x
18S: 10 Things Not to Do
x
19S: Blogging Effectively
x
20P: Business Card Keeper
x
21S: Networking Locally
x
22S: Networking Online
x
23S: Print Media
x
24P: Creating a Blog Widget
x
Term 2 Text Chat w/ LA, Jill & Elsie
X
X
Term 3: April 4 - 16
25S: Full Time, Part Time, Hobby?
x
26S: Mainstream vs. Indie
x
27S: Time is Money
x
28P: Receipts Organizer
x
29S: Good Business 
x
30S: Being the Face of your Business
x
31S: Work and Family
x
32S: Keep it Fresh, Stay Inspired
x
33P: Indie Goals & Dreams Journal
x
Bonus: You're your Best Cheerleader
x
Term 3 & Farewell Text Chat w/ LA, Jill & Elsie

Note: The course content does not discuss taxes or business licenses. Since every state/country has different requirements, we recommend you talk to your local government (or google local resources) since many of them have amazing programs (usually free) that help you get registered and give legal information.

Registration Details

Class cost: $75us

* We will begin class registrations this Wednesday, Feb 10th.

* Payment Methods: Paypal & RedVelvetArt shop.

* Private blog access will be sent within 36 hours of registration/purchase.


Questions
If you have any questions, please email us at indieworldwide@gmail.com


A few Quotes from 2009 Indie Business Students

"...it's fresh and working knowledge of the business and is given in bite sized and digestible pieces. The tone is cheerful and the sessions are displayed in a colorful manner as they break the steps to starting an indie business into doable steps. I highly recommend this class to beginners as well as those who have owned their business for quite some time now." --Jacquelyn

"Indie Business will continue to be a great tool for me to come back to as I build my Indie business. Jill and LA create a genuine atmosphere for learning by teaching from their own lived experience and welcoming the students into a trusting and open community of artists and crafters." --Gillian

"Indie Business was way more than I had thought it could have been, I have been left so inspired not only by Leigh-Ann and Jill, but also by everyone else who took the class. If your even thinking about taking the class... go for it! You will NOT be dissapointed!!!!!" --Adelle 

In other news, I am almost ready to post the Spring/Summer RVA schedule. In addition to this class, I am teaching an art journaling class with Rachel Denbow visiting a few new cities for Renegade Craft Fairs and debuting some new & suuuuper sweet things in the RVA online store! So many good things ahead. thanks for being a part!! XO. elsie 

Comments

[Meg]

I can't wait to sign up on Wednesday, I have been waiting for this class since LA online craft a long last month! I just opened my Etsy Shop on Saturday and I am soooo excited about it! I can't wait to learn more from the experts! Have a wonderful day and stay warm, i know this Missouri weather is just crazy!
xoxo~Meg

[katie]

i think i need this class! i'm glad i found your blog a while back...i would love to learn some things from you and other people who have figured out the indie business.

[kara s.]

def signing up for this, as I have been sewing the dolls (like one that came your way!) and they have really taken off online + at craft fairs...
i signed up for Renegade Austin...hope to see you ther!

[elsie]

thanks, everyone! i am glad you are interested! it's going to be a pretty super class for those getting into indie businesses!

kara... i love your dolls. i can't wait to meet you at Renegade!! :)))

[Ashley Fauguel]

Hello, i was just wondering if this class was open to people in the Uk or is it just American residents? this may be a ridiculous question due to the time difference but it doesnt hurt to ask :) ps your blogs pretty

[Nicole Underwood]

whoa! this sounds like just what I need!! excite!!

[Heidi]

this class couldn't have come at a better time! I can hardly wait!!!

[elsie]

Hi Ashley, this class is open to every country! Jill and Leigh-Ann are actually from Canada. :))
I've had tons of students from all over the world in previous classes & it's so much fun!

[rxanna]

Hoorah! I've been waiting for this class.
I agree that it couldn't have come at a better time.
:)

[chelsea]

I'm not sure if I'm going to take the indie business class (it's something I'm interested in but not sure if I want to do it right away), but I am definitely going to take the art journaling class! I've always wanted to keep a consistent art journal, and it will be so fun to have the inspiration of you and Rachel (and everyone else in the class!)

Looking forward to it!

[vivianna]

this is a great class and I would recommend it to anyone who wants/ started there own indie business. I took it the first go around and LOVED it!

[Kara]

Awesome, awesome, awesome idea. I'm drowning in my own little career and graduate school, but this looks soooo fantastic! You're great :)

[Jenn Lance]

Yippee! Indie buisness here I come!

By the way Elsie- is Renegade San Fransico (July 31st) on your list of attendance? That's the best bet I have of going to one once I return stateside, and I would lovvve to meet you. Just sayin. ;)

[Tracey]

OOOhhh!! I cant wait!

Definitly looking forward to this class!

[brandy vondoeren]

i'm 100% taking this class

[Andrea]

I am SO excited about this class - I can't wait. I'll be visiting the Austin Renegade - just to check it out and see what it's all about!

[Louana]

Oh wow! I really really really want to sign up for this class!

Is there a limit of students? I live in Japan and I'm worried I might miss the signup window due to time differences...

Will you put a link on this blog as soon as we can sign up? Or should we keep checking the RVA website?

Sorry too many questions, I'm just super excited about this class!!

[Lily]

I really want to take this class!!! What is the max number of students you'll fit?

[Elma]

Sounds like fun!

[elsie]

Hi everyone! I am teaching this class, but not handling admin... so if you have questions you can e-mail Leigh-Ann at the e-mail in the post!

I will post registration details here on my blog with very clear instructions on Wed! :)) Thanks so much! I'm so happy so many people are planning to register. I think it's going to be great! XO.