Metromode and Downtown Dearborn invite you to attend the second of four Entrepreneurial Events on August 22 from 5-7:30. Entrepreneurs and community members will have the opportunity to network, learn, and rehearse with business resources partners, followed by a regional panel of art entrepreneurs with experience in running a creative business.
Panelists include:
Christopher Bennett, Owner, Image Works
Chris Bennett is a Photographer currently living in Dearborn, MI. He received his BFA from Indiana University and MFA in Photography from the Hartford Art School’s Limited Residency Photography Program. Bennett founded and was the Director of Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, Oregon from 2002 to 2012 and served as its Gallery Director from 2012 to 2014. In 2017, after relocating to Michigan, he started Image Works, which specializes in archival pigment printing, also known as giclée printing, for reproducing photographic and fine art imagery. Image Works also provides a number of digital services including artwork captures, film & slide scanning, portfolio printing, posters, and prepress proofing.
Matt Fry, director of Detroit Artists Market
Matt has spent the last eighteen years in the fine arts field, heading up the marketing departments for two world-class museums in the Walters Art Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Matt led the creative team that developed the DIA’s award-winning “Let Yourself Go” brand advertising campaign. As director of DAM, Matt works with the board of directors to implement the strategic plan and he handles all managerial aspects of the organization, including staffing, operations, budgeting, fundraising, and board relations.
Michelle Plucinsky, co-owner of Glass Academy
The Glass Academy is a privately owned glassblowing studio by artists Michelle Plucinsky and Chris Nordin that specializes in educational glassblowing shows, events, and classes. Open to the public Wednesday-Saturday housing a beautiful 2,000sq. ft. gallery selling contemporary handcrafted functional and decorative glassware with leading edge design. Lighting, ceremonial ashes, and special commissions accepted by appointment.
Moderator: Andrea Rosenfeld
Embrace Creatives is the brainchild of professional artist and creative business consultant, Andrea Rosenfeld. Empowering hundreds of Artists and industry professionals for years, Andrea saw over and over again the disconnect between the two and realized she could solve this problem, easily. Jotting down her ideas she reached out to a tech friend and said, “I want to connect artists and buyers, online while giving them access to business education to guide them to higher profits and internal value.” And with that commitment, Andrea lovingly crafted Embrace Creatives. It’s Andrea’s wish that Embrace Creatives grows to become the go-to place for MILLIONS of artists, so together we can empower, uplift and move our creative industries forward for good.
The Dearborn Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is a four-part event allowing entrepreneurs to network, learn, and pitch. Coaching will be made available to entrepreneurs from around metro Detroit interested in pitching their idea and testing their idea in the Dearborn market.
Each of four nights gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with peers as well as professionals. Resource partners are on site to help with questions to prepare your business model. Pitch Prep Events will be held on August 22, and September 26. At these events, entrepreneurs can test their pitches, as well as connect with local business resources. A moderated panel of entrepreneurs who have made the move from idea to execution will be highlighted in the first series event, which starts at 5:00 pm and ends at 7:30 pm. Stop by after work for an evening of networking, connecting, and pitching!
EVENT AGENDA:
** 5 - 6 - Meet with resource partners.
SCORE and Grind Business Creative will be available to practice pitching your business idea with.
** 6-7:30 - Panel featuring youth entrepreneurs.
PITCH CALENDAR
** WED AUG 22 5-7:30
** WED SEP 26 5-7:30
FINAL PITCH NIGHT
** WED NOV 14
Winners of the final pitch night will be winning 4 months at a Dearborn site pop-up location to test out their market and grow their business. On November 14, following the three Pitch Prep events, contestants will deliver their pitches to a panel of judges in front of a live audience to win a four-month, rent-free pop-up space in Downtown Dearborn to test their idea in the marketplace and grow their business. Downtown Dearborn is looking for retail, makers, artisans, experiential businesses, and tech-based ideas.
ATTEND each of the events to find out more!
The Dearborn Entrepreneur Pitch Competition is part of the Dearborn series featured in MetromodeMedia.com fostering a narrative for entrepreneurship in Dearborn while building a better-engaged network of people and resources. This series is supported by Downtown Dearborn.
