What it reallylooks like

MODULE 2:Creative Business Models and Emerging Trends

What people think it

looks like

success

Creative Business Models and Emerging TrendsThis Module will help you look at your own creative business model and how you can make it work for you. We’ll explore several emerging business models for self employment in the creative sector including: • Freelancing • A slash career• Continuing your professional development • Being part of a creative cluster

Module 2 Learning Focus

• Designing your life - Exploring the Freelancer Economy

• Time to embrace a Slash career. What this means for you today?

• New platforms for pairing creative talent with businesses

• Looking at models of best practice coming out of Ireland, UK, Poland & Sweden

• Specialist Design & Creativity summits essential for learning & Networking

Module 2 Designing your life - Exploring the Freelancer Economy

Not all businesses in the Creative Industries operate in the same way Creative businesses need to find new projects and opportunities constantly Creative entrepreneurs need to develop a variety of business skills in order to surviveRelationships with clients and end-users can be demanding and difficult to up-scale

Emerging Business Models for Creative Entrepreneurship

Freelancing A freelancer: self-employed and hired to work for different companies on particular assignments. Most people familiar with the idea of "a freelance journalist“ or graphic designer

You are the ProductBeing successful as a freelancer or creative entrepreneur requires a lot of things: Hard work, support of people who believe in you, access to finance (your part time job bank rolls your creative work until freelance work starts to pick up).

You are the worker, you are the boss — but you are also the product.

Learning focusTh Freelance Economy

Freelancing

According to Forbes, by 2020, 50% of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers in some capacity. This on-demand work, instant gig economy is moving more and more towards independent professionals that are using mobile and technology to create ecosystems of work they enjoy.

‘The old economy would lead you to believe that you should pick one job, work hard for the next 40 years at that company, and then retire. Not the new

economy. The more diverse your skill set, the more opportunities come your way.’

The biggest concern if you’re a freelancer is where the next contract is coming from.

You will learn about new platforms for pairing creative talent with businesses

As a freelancerYou need to be prepared to work really hard at getting noticed to get work & come up with new and creative ways to get noticed.Being personable, kind, helpful, and informed help hugely in the self-employment economy. This comes hand in hand with running your business professionally , delivering on projects, and getting the word out there about how great you are.

How do you do that ? 6 steps ……

Here are 6 steps to follow to become remarkable:

1. Identify your most profitable niche to date2. Naming and branding your creative business3. Focus on Marketing Your Value Instead of Your

Services4. Collaborate with Other Freelancers5. Create and Practice Your Elevator Speech6. Explore New Ways to Find Clients

We tackle these subjects in Module 4 Marketing but in summary We love Seth Gotin, check him out on

http://www.sethgodin.com/sg/

1. Identify your most profitable niche to dateA niche market is a segment of the market on which a specific product is focusing. Anymarket can be further divided into smaller market segments with specific interests anddemographics.Having a well defined niche can give your business more power, especially if the nichehas enough demand and money in it. The better you can define your market, the higherthe likelihood you can hone your marketing message to resonate with this market, turnthis audience into fans, who will buy and rave about your product.

2 Naming and branding you creative business Your questions - What about my business name? Should I use my own personal name,or have a separate ‘business-y’ one?” For example, it’s the difference between a designer’s business being named BettyMurphy Designs (her own name) versus a name like Make Impact Designs (a business-yname). We go into depth on this process in Module 4

3 Focus on Marketing Your Value Instead of Your Services Marketing should revolve around your customer and not you. All marketing. Back to Seth Godin - “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.” More, much more in Module 4.Focus on the value you bring to the market, rather than the services that you offer

4 Collaborate with Other FreelancersYou may be able to work together to find ways to expand both of your businesses by piggybacking your services together. More, much more in Module 7

Winnie the Pooh on comfort zones:You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes

5 Create and Practice Your Elevator SpeechEssential. What you do in 30 seconds or less. More, much more in Module 4.

6. Explore New Ways to Find Clients. Join and become active in networks in your niche on and offline and becoming a participant and contributor. Finding your audience on social media and meeting them where they are. More, much more in Module 4 Promise me you’ll always

remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

1) Professionalism – some tips• ‘Must have’ items – a brand that reflects what you do (more in Module 4), a video profile or

a showreel and a mobile enabled website introducing you and your work• An email address which is your name or your business name ideally at your web address.

i.e. not sadferret@yahoo.com!• While a lot of your work may be secured virtually, when meeting clients ( in person or

online) be prepared, come prepared with questions/research, be on time & make the meeting worth their time, follow up with a meeting summary and agreed actions

Three traits successful Freelancers have in common

Suits not typically required !!

2 You need to be reliableWhen awarded a contract or a new freelance project e.g. graphic/web design, a writing or photography contract you need to • communicate with the client to meet deadlines, • be responsive to calls & emails. The client needs to trust that you have

their best interest in mind.Your reputation should be impeccableSuccessful freelancers will leave clients feeling like they got a very good deal by being professional and reliable.

If you miss a deadline or they are not satisfied with your work, do not hide.

Communicate, discuss & try to problem solve the issue with your client.

This relationship building can lead to the development of a positive working relationship with the client and in many cases they will recommend your work to others if they are happy with the results.

3. You need to be a hustlerEven Harvard Business Review and Forbes now cite ‘Hustle’ as a business strategy. Self-promotion is tough especially for many creative freelancers. It is a crowded marketplace. How can you stand out ? You are not a salesperson & it can be uncomfortable ‘touting’ your work. However, to make it as a freelancer, you may need to move out of your comfort zone to inform people about who you are and what your services are.

Exercise – learn how to hustle http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2013/12/10/learning-how-to-hustle/#6415c8ca47f3

Gary VaynerchukLEARN MORE To discover more about the art of Hustling visit https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/blog/ (be prepared for colourful language )

‘When an opportunity presents itself, pounce on it. HUSTLE’ ‘Stop being romantic. Put out great work and hustle’.‘Wake up before everybody else and work those long hours. Emotionally and executionally, make the commitment to yourself and to your legacy that you’re willing and ready to go ALL-IN.’Watch : https://youtu.be/z5tugxy70MY

https://youtu.be/S4bAVgMJo8w

The Freelance Business PlanExerciseReview Brent Galloway’s Sample Business Plan http://cl.ly/Q6jd And his marketing message ……

http://brentgalloway.me/

http://brentgalloway.me/

Module 2 / / / Slash Careers / / /

A “Slash” Career What is it?The answer to the once-simple question ‘What do you do?’ has

never been so complicated!

Maybe you have a “Slash” career? Your life is made up of more than one job or related jobs in your particular field of work

Perhaps you are a singer/skills teacher/mentor/event coordinator?

A Slash career person has a mixed professional identity. In the current economic climate and especially in the creative sector, slash careers are part of a pivotal change in how we work/ create. Can

be a fulfilling work-life blend, not to mention a safety net of several income sources

Time to Embrace a 'Slash' Career

So-called “slashers,” are part of an emerging trend known as the “portfolio career.” And if you’re the right personality type, it can be an incredibly rewarding—and profitable—career move.

Marci Alboher, author of “One Person/Multiple Careers,” defines “slashers” as individuals who’ve created a “portfolio career” involving multiple identities. Their income comes from part-time employment, temporary work, freelance assignments or a personal business—or they work a full-time job, while pursuing other lucrative interests.

So-called “slashers,” (sounds violent at first), but simply describes anybody who would tend to have multiple job titles listed on their business card, separated by a slash character……. / / / / / / /

Marci Alboher, author of “One Person/Multiple Careers,” claim is that such careers are becoming much more commonplace, stemming from the growing desire of many people to diversify their income streams, as well as find a way to exercise multiple passions in a professional context

Read: One Person, Multiple Careers (Marci Alboher)

The advantages of having a slash career means that:• One skill doesn’t get used every

day which can lead to burn out• If you have a part of your career

that needs nurturing and building, you can do that, because the other parts are floating your boat, not sinking your ship.

• Plan B is a rapper/singer/actor/ director and just added ‘philanthropist’ to his string of occupations.

Slash careers make senseTaking on new projects /roles/work to nurture and maintain your creative career is positive and necessaryIf we have a look at our own lives we can see that we all lead slash lives, as employees, parents, partners, carers, members, mentors, cooks, gardeners…. So it may not be much of a leap of faith to starting a slash career ! A slash life can be interesting and varied……

In an increasingly fluid future economy multi-faceted people

who can manoeuvre will become more valuable.

A Slash Career can actually make you more appealing and stand out from the crowd!

Be brave and do not be afraid to publicise your Slash career- forget that it might be seen as indecisive- if its working for you its working.

The slash approach to your career can actually make you better at the various things you do. Challenges will arise – but on days when one work is quiet in one area it can pick up in another.

'Slash' Career and Making Ends Meet You may need to take a part time job at the café /bar to allow you to build your creative business. Earning other income can actually take the pressure off you creative practice and allow it to flourish.

However, holding down a day or night job to allow for your creativity to flow might mean that you can only commit a few hours in the day to your project or practice.

Keeping up the process and developing your practice is what’s important. Dedicating the hours every day to the work that you love and developing your skills will work.

Practice, Practice, Practice. It’s time to embrace your maker, artist, entrepreneur role….

Portfolio Career Essentially doing two or more jobs for different employers. In the UK, at least a million people are already experiencing the benefits of a portfolio career.The Book “ And do what you do ?” begins by reframing work around you and playing to your greatest strengths. Part-time, full-time, working for yourself and/or for an organisation, the choice is yours. In 10 practical steps, this book encourages you to explore another way to find health, happiness and fulfilment in your work.

Exercise: Talk about your career in terms of a slash career

Map your skills out Where are the gaps ?What other skills can you offer to others? (this will help you with your business and marketing planning.)

What do you need to make a Mind Map?

Because Mind Maps are so easy to do and so natural. Either on paper • Blank unlined paper• Coloured pens and pencils• Your Brain• Your imagination!

Online https://www.mindjet.com/ 8 free mind mapping tools - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-free-mind-map-tools-best-use/

Mind Map A powerful graphic technique which unlocks the potential of the brain. It gives you the freedom to roam the infinite expanses of your brain. There are no limits to the number of thoughts, ideas and connections that your brain can make, which means that there are no limits !

The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.

Exercise: Take a look at the Shakespeare mind map (next slide) and following the instructions on

link below.

Sketch an image of yourself at the centre of the mindmap and spend 30 mins mapping out your

mindmap based on the example

Module 2 New platforms for pairing creative talent with businesses

The first part of this module deals with platforms for digital creatives, the second part looks at platforms for artists, crafts people and those who

physically create

There are several platforms both online & offline out there to help you promote and sell your creativity. Here we will explore some of the many platforms for pairing talent with businesses looking at:

www.zealous.co www.upwork.comwww.creativepool.comwww.peopleperhour.com

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New platforms for pairing creative talent with businesses

ONLINE PLATFORMS www.zealous.co

Zealous is home to over 10,000 artists of all disciplines from across the world(from graphic designers to jugglers ). It is a new and highly innovative online UK based platform –where creative talent and opportunities meet and whereany creative discipline is welcome. It tries to remove the barriers separating the client and the right talent. Searchable media rich database

ONLINE PLATFORMS www.zealous.co

How it works ?1) Create a free portfolioDisplay your latest and best work in a way that does it justice. Embed video, audio and imagery alongside rich text descriptions, and increase your visibility.

https://www.zealous.co/%7Busername%7D/portfolio/?id=5683334628769792

ONLINE PLATFORMS www.creativepool.com

Creativepool is a ‘one of a kind community, a creative industry network involved in changing the way individuals and companies interact in the digital environment’.

A free platform, it services over 165,000 individuals and over 12,000 companies who contribute with an average of 500 live jobs each month.

ONLINE PLATFORM www.upwork.com

Upwork is a marketplace connecting expert freelancers and clients for all work that can be done on a computer – from web and mobile programming to graphic design e.g.

• Blogging services• Web design• Software development

ONLINE PLATFORM www.peopleperhour.com

PeoplePerHour is the leading digital marketplace for freelance talent

1 million members globally

Their marketing message claims - If a job can be done online, it can be done on PeoplePerHour

WATCH Video How to use people per hour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGvuQGiqNVc

People per Hour, some tips

• Ask for a 100% deposit• It is very very competitive but quality rises to the top• You have to actively bid for work• Use it to generate leads • If you say you are going to do something, do it

Portfolio websites

What you should (and shouldn’t) do to create an eye-catching portfolio.

1. Highlight your best work, not all of it Quantity doesn’t necessarily mean quality

2. Showcase the kind of work you want to be hired forYour portfolio defines who you are as a designer and where you want to go. Showcase your ability to be resourceful and to explore various creative approaches.

3. Don’t rely only on personal projects Self-initiated projects are great to explore but you must show a real project where you have dealt with a client, undergone revisions, and had to justify the choices you’ve made.

Behance.net A leading online platform to showcase & discover creative work. The creative world updates their

work in one place to broadcast it widely and efficiently. Companies explore the work and access

talent on a global scale

4 It’s not just the work you’ve done – it’s how you present it An average execution that is beautifully presented can take that project to a higher level, whereas an amazing project poorly presented will lose a lot of its impact and value. Take time and effort on your presentation

5 Keep the words to a minimum and keep it freshJust show your work to its best. It’s essential that you update it regularly with your best recent work and, above all, view it as part of the creation process.

For creatives based in the West of Ireland, Northern Ireland, North East Iceland. Mid-Sweden or Northern Finlandhttp://www.mycreativeedge.eu/register/

www.mycreativeedge.eu

Contact details Photo

Main product image

Image gallery

Profile Sector & skills tags

Provides the following supports for creatives looking to export/ sell online :

•Mentoring in Internationalisation: How to access export markets.

•Creative Steps 2.0: Innovation support for new product/service ideas.

•Creative Hotspots: Support to attend established creative industry events in Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Applications are made through www.mycreativeedge.eu

.

The next phase of Creative Edge is called Creative Momentum

Portfolios - Other Resources

• Tutorial: How To make a Behance portfolio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdp3fL5Qfss

• Watch a day in the life of a graphic designerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7_xYUcKNzw

• Tutorial: How to create your online portfolioCreating a Wix Portfolio: Getting Started watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwcvj5QI54k

Offline Events It is important to connect into offline events for freelancers. Here are some of IRELAND’s top events on the Creative Calendar …

Offset Dublin 2017Fri 17 Feb 2017 - Sun 19 Feb 2017 Represents the Creative industry at all levels, with speakers who are key disruptors and influencers in their field driving everything from huge global campaigns to awe inspiring personal projects.Visit www.iloveoffset.com Image : Una Burke at offset

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OFFSET

With over 2,500 attendees each year, Offset has fast become one of the world’s most inspirational, educational and vocational conferences for the design and creative industries. SIGN UP FOR THEIR NEWSLETTER ON WESBITE

Design Week Ireland Takes place each November www.designweek.ie

Design Week takes place all over Ireland in the first week of November every year and is a week long celebration of Irish and international design.Design Week 2016 theme “Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future”, highlighted the role design plays in enabling happy, healthy and dignified lives.

The main purpose of Design Week is to highlight the important contribution good design makes to the cultural and economic life of Ireland through fostering a reputation for creative excellence and innovation.

CASE STUDY The Cocktails+Design talk series at the Liquor Rooms celebrated the partnerships between the drinks industry and design. Cocktails+Design was supported by Irish Design 2015 in collaboration with IDI Design Social and Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI).

Sligo Design Week, IrelandExploring design as a catalyst for innovation; linking creativity with enterprise, technology + community in the West of Ireland. Over 40 designers across many disciplines

What’s on? EXAMPLE

Design Talk: Frank ConwaySunday, November 13, 2016 Hawk's Well Theatre

A titan of Irish theatre and film, Frank Conway is an internationally regarded designer. In his extensive career he has contributed greatly to our understanding of modern design. He will be joined by his lifelong friend Terence Herron to chat about his life and work at the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sunday 13th November. This will be a real treat for fans of film, theatre & design.

Examples of Creative Summits

Swell Sligo is a network for the web, creative and entrepreneur community in the North West. www.swellsligo.com

Harnessing Creativity’s “Expanded Territories” was an experimental combination of exhibition,demonstrations, masterclasses, talks and screenings and a celebration of all things creative! •

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Platforms for promoting & selling online

“We are living in an amazing age of global information sharing and marketing”.

Online platforms make it possible for creative businesses such as “Planet of Sound” based in County Leitrim, Ireland, to operate a full service Music Supervision and Licensing. Their goal is to find the best music options for their clients, whether it be providing song suggestions or creating original composition.

They provide expertise to numerous Film, TV, Video Game and Multimedia projects. Clients include Failte Ireland, Vico Films, Blinder Films, The Blue Man Group, Discovery Networks (TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Velocity Network), FUSE, THQ Games and Chevy. www.planetofsoundmusic.com

Platforms for promoting & selling online

Sites such as YouTube make it possible for guys like Felix Kjellberg, also known as PewDiePie, a 27 year-old Swedish video game commentator known for his videos on YouTube and appearances on numerous playthrough videos.

PewDiePie is known for his Let's Plays on horror-themed video games, as well as playing many other types of games, including flash and indie games, and records his reactions through audio and webcam recording.

www.pewdiepie.com

PewDiePie's fanbase is known as the "Bro Army" which includes, and by August 2015, he had amassed more than 38,677,000 subscribers on YouTube.

His book Loves You by PewDiePie is his collection of illustrated inspirational sayings that show you how to live your life – another income source.

Module 2 Platforms for artists, crafts people and those who physically create

Etsy www.etsy.com Etsy is an online marketplace emphasizing people, communities, and creativity. It allows you to search for unique arts and crafts that are difficult to find anywhere else. Almost everything on Etsy is made and/or sold by people like you.

The realities of starting an online shop on Etsy

You’re competing with nearly 2 million sellers on Etsy. It’s NOT free, selling craft & design online requires an investment of time & money

Need to narrow your focus to one kind of product or category and work on it until it’s successful. If you want to sell other stuff after that you can start another shop.

Need to invest in your product presentation:

Photography• Branding: •Packaging: •Training: learn how to market yourself and your products online.

1. Self Evaluation

A lot of creative start up’s- in the craft & design sector jump in feet first and register online selling with Etsy. Where this is good- Yeah!! You have taken the first step that many never do. But first take a step back and do your research- Ask yourself, is there a demand for your product or service on line?

3 top tips for sellers who are just starting out selling on Etsy.

Your product has already been market tested, through pop up shops, trade events, exhibitions and possibly through retail.

Selling online means that your customers are trusting you & you are going to have to deliver high quality products.

What are your limitations ? Supply & demand- are you ready to meet the

orders?

Your brand and your shop & its product shots are what makes you stand out from the crowd.

Your customers are buying your images when shopping online so they need to sell the product to their very best.

Invest in product photography. Keep your high quality images up to date with your new editions/ product range

2. Quality Product Photography

3. Focus

Focus on making your shop the best it can be. Etsy drives the traffic to your shop and it is your responsibility to make sure when customers get to your shop, that they are persuaded by you and convinced that they want to buy from you.

Find out where your traffic is coming from

• Via internal Etsy traffic?

• Getting listed on the editors pick, search for products, Etsy ads, categories ?

Folksy is a place to buy & sell hand crafted or designed work from designer-makers.

It operates with a small team based in the Peak District, UK.

Folksy launched in summer 2008 and has risen to become the most popular UK site for independent craft & design gifts. It operates over £1 million in sales with a community of 13,000 designer/makers.

Platforms for selling online www.folksy.com

Why Folksy is a force to be reckoned with ?

1.Love of craft & design skills, the process by which people use their creativity and talent to make beautiful work.

2.Strength in numbers. Professional, portfolio and hobbyist designer-makers can reach a mainstream audience, test markets and grow their business more effectively on Folksy rather than through costly galleries and boutique shops.

3.Cottage industries. Small scale production and handmade goods offer ways to be creative, manage resources effectively and support local economies.

4. No Meritocracy. Designer-makers list their work which is hand crafted (no vintage or mass manufactured work is allowed). This creates a meritocracy where great work from hobbyists can rub shoulders with the best from established professional designer/makers. The work should stand for itself.

5.David not Goliath. :)

GIVE IRISH CRAFT

The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland is the champion for the craft & design sector in Ireland. www.giveirishcraft.com was set up to help consumers learn about Ireland's talented designer-makers, their products and the shops that sell this beautiful work.

From jewellery and fashion to homewares and accessories, the site showcases a distinctive range of authentic Irish craft gift ideas for every occasion, which can then be purchased directly from stockists of Irish craft across Ireland. Prices range from under €10 to gifts of €50, €100 or more. Each product has been Imagined, Designed, and Made in Ireland.

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Depop is a UK based social shopping app that claims it is the easiest way to sell in today's market.

You a picture of your item on your phone, list it on Depop, share it on Facebook and Twitter, and wait for someone to make the purchase.

Founded in Italy in 2011, the app is a favourite with "Millennials" – those in their 20s and younger – and in particular fashion bloggers.

Platforms for selling online - www.depop.com

The app reached 1.8m downloads in 2014, and the company currently sees more than one million new products added for sale each month.

Fee- How it works?

The app is free to download, and listing an item is also free, but Depop will apply a 10pc fee on the total price of each sale.

The fee will be automatically deducted from the seller's PayPal account, and PayPal will add its own charges on top.

Module 2 Creative Influencers

Looking at models of best practice coming out of Ireland, UK, Poland & Sweden

TYPE OF INFLUENCERS# 1 The Social Butterfly

# 2 The Thought Leader

# 3 The Early Adopter # 4

The Celebrity

# 5 The Expert

# 6 The Everyday User

# 7

The Sharer

The Influencers Influencers is an insightful documentary that looks at how trends and creativity become contagious. What does it mean to be an influencer? It looks at music, fashion, and the entertainment industry to mine examples of how someone ‘trends’ in today’s world.

Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives (advertising, design, fashion and entertainment) who are shaping today’s pop culture.

“Influencers” belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience.”

This is a crossover project (film + online experience) was to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical approach.

Trends are never the product of one individual but rather the result of factors that involve various people…

The film share views on:

How to define influence? What makes someone influent? What is the link between trends and influence? Are there places/events conducive to creative pollination?

Exercise: watch documentary online for free http://documentarystorm.com/influencers/

For further information please have a look at :

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.influencersfilm.com

FILM: http://www.vimeo.com/16430345

Exercise Watch the documentary online and write about

what has influenced you in your creative

practice?

Creative Influencerswww.makersandbrothers.com Makers & Brothers is a project developed by two brothers, Jonathan and Mark Legge. It is an online retail venture founded on a belief in the simple things; the handmade, objects of integrity, contemporary vernaculars, a curation of everyday design and craft. They define craft as a process; a production by hand or machine.They have assembled a collection of "products of everyday design and craft,” primarily featuring Irish-made goods.

They operate as an international destination with an Irish foundation and will at all times endeavour to sell objects of use; the simple, beautiful and sometimes nicely odd.

They retail through the website www.makersandbrothers.com

Their business model has recently evolved to use a replica of their workshop/ shed as a pop up event in stores in Ireland.

Designist- Product Design

shop.designist.ie/

Designist, Dublin is about selling and promoting unique, Irish designed goods. Designist prides itself on offering the best of Irish and international product design. The ethos is that all products should be beautiful, useful and affordable – preferably under €100.

Designist sells online and also at their shop in Dublin 2. Since opening in 2010 they have collaborated with a huge number of Irish designers and crafts people on events, product launches, showcases and pop up shops.

Creative Influencers

They carefully curate a range of products that represents the best of Irish and International design, with the intention of showing just how good the standard of design in Ireland is.

The idea in setting up Designist was to close the loop between designers and customers. They aim to offer designers a place to showcase new designs and customers a chance to see new interesting products not available elsewhere.

Budding designers are encouraged to get in touch.

https://shop.designist.ie/

.Designist online shop- sell your product both on and offline through this retailer

Kiln & Loom, Belfast www.kilnandloom.com

Kiln and Loom stocks 70% Irish designed and crafted products in this new shop and café outlet on one of Belfast’s most up and coming streets.

The shop has a range of local artisan food produce and a cool ‘to-go’ coffee shop selling locally roasted coffee and a local tea merchant’s full range of teas. The main shop has work from all over Ireland alongside carefully selected products from small independent designer/makers and family run businesses and producers worldwide.

Cait & I, Sligo, Ireland https://www.facebook.com/Cait-I

Opened in May 2016; Cait & I is run by sisters Kathleen and Tara McGowan who upped & left their jobs in early 2016 seeing a niche in Sligo town to ‘bring funky and utterly gorgeous Irish design and craft together’ in their dream shop.

Tara has worked for many years in the arts, first in Berlin and then in Sligo. Kathleen left a secure and pensionable career to follow her passion for all things cool & crafty.

Leitrim Design House, Leitrim www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie The Leitrim Design House is a showcase for the very best of Irish craft. It is an award winning social enterprise. Their retail space presents a contemporary range of individually hand- made items from local and national designers. Many of the makers are unique.

Irish made products; fine art, ceramics, glass, prints, metal, wood, jewellery, textiles, paper-craft & unique cards. The selection of work is carefully curated with a strong emphasis on quality, design and innovation. Everything is handmade in Ireland.

Gallery 1608, Antrim http://www.gallery1608.co.uk/ Gallery 1608 is Northern Irelands most exciting new gallery, representing many of Ireland’s top artists and designer-makers. The gallery exhibits a wide range of works from painters, sculptors, glass makers, ceramicists, wood workers and jewellers all carefully selected for quality and to suit all budgets.

My Shop...granny likes it A small shop based in Galway, in the west of Ireland. We nurture, support and promote contemporary Irish design, craft and art.Visit : www.myshopgranny.com April & the bear A carefully curated collection of alternative + cool homewares, exclusive art-prints , great gifts and edgy jewellery.Visit : www.aprilandthebear.com

31 Chapel Lane A design, manufacturing company and contemporary Irish brand for people who expect to own things for life. All their products are made in Ireland using the best natural Irish linens and tweeds. www.31chapellane.com

Cork Craft & Design http://www.corkcraftanddesign.com/about

Cork Craft & Design (CCD) is a voluntary organization of Cork crafts persons and a company limited by guarantee. CCD’s remit is to represent all professional craft makers in Cork City and County.

A n umbrella group for professional craft makers in Cork County including ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, furniture and many more. Cork craft businesses are mainly small in scale and geographically widespread.

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Creative Collectives - doing it for themselves

Creative Collectives doing if for themselves

SPACECRAFT, Belfast www.craftanddesigncollective.com

The Craft & Design Collective manage Space CRAFT; a Shop, Gallery and Exhibition area in the centre of Belfast set up to sell and exhibit handmade CRAFT made by their members. Everything in Space CRAFT is handmade and made from across Northern Ireland. Visit Space CRAFT for hand-woven willow baskets, precious handmade jewellery, thrown pottery, blown glass, hand-woven textiles and much more.

SpaceCraft aimed to promote handmade craft and a perfect spot in the heart of the city to peruse and relax amongst the local talent Northern Ireland has to offer.

Founded by brother and sister team Lorcan & Sarah Quinn and based in Northern Ireland. Enrich & Endure was set up with the vision of reviving the local linen industry.

Their goal was to create innovative products with soul, by combining traditional knowledge with modern thinking. They initially set out as a home wares company and our range sold globally. All the while, they were aware of the versatility of linen and were keen to explore other uses for this unique material.

Influencers www.enrichandendure.com

www.enrichandendure.comEnrich and Endure is more than just a brand name, it is the ethos, a constant reminder of what they are trying to achieve- a sustainable business that will stand the test of time.

They are building a community of like minded people that have a mutual love of quality, longevity and good design and together they hope to achieve great things.

Dublin based brand that is reinventing what jewellery can be. Using cutting-edge technologies, they create bespoke pieces that are made-to-order and entirely personalised.

Love & Robots is also a design studio which collaborates with brands, designers and artists on a variety of projects. Their ranges are inspired by contemporary culture, geometry, architecture, graphic design & urban life. They use bright, colourful nylon as well as beautiful precious metals to create our pieces.

Love & Robots www.loveandrobots.com

In some of the ranges, you can edit the design and make it personal to you. Then it’s custom make it for you using 3d printing technologies.

NEW FREELANCERS! Here are 6 tips on scheduling your working day.You’re probably thinking – Isn’t freelancing supposed to offer my flexibility? Yes, of course, but you need to get started in order to get finished and free up time for other things outside of work in your day.1. Don’t over plan your day- you need to be realistic , make a list of your planned tasks for the day . Write your daily to-do list. Within a month of set up you will have a better idea of how long it takes to do the various tasks you need – make sure to build in time to write a blog or time for networking and sales building.2.Schedule blocks of time. Take your to-do list and turn it into blocks of work time of 25/30 minutes . When you plan, you control events instead of them controlling you.

3.Write down your schedule – if you can do this before you finish up day before- it should only take five minutes and you wont forget the important item you need to cover the next day.

4. Give your schedule a “health check” after a month or so. Have you several things on the list left to do- are you being too ambitious? Is there something wasting your time – using social media or answering calls/emails unrelated to your tasks of the day? Most people find the mornings the most productive time of the day for getting stuck in.

5. Leave room in your schedule for breaks and interruptions. Don’t forget to take periodic breaks throughout the day. Interruptions will happen, so embrace them!6.Establish daily and weekly routines. Maybe you like to get stuck into research in the morning and calls and emails in the afternoon. Make a habit of your routine and stick to it. When it comes to making positive changes in your life, experts believe that creating a routine will lead to success.

And finally…..don’t forget to

Module 2

In Module 2 we learned about:

• Exploring the Freelancer Economy -New platforms for pairing talent with businesses

• Looking at models of best practice coming out of Ireland, UK, Poland & Sweden

• Co working is a great way to work. What does this mean for you?

• Specialist Design & Creativity summits essential for learning & Networking

• Creative Influencers

Next up ….. MODULE 3: Your creative business strategy we will explore in much more detail:

• Getting started in your creative business (from idea to opportunity, the role of the business plan)

• The role of marketing research• Working through the key sections of the business

plan• Presenting your background & experience• Operating plan• Your target customer, how are you going to sell?• Pricing, costs and making a profit

• Making the most of business mentoring • Some rules for success