November 2020
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »December 2020
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »January 2021
First Leap Information Session
The First Leap Program (First Leap) is an entrepreneurial readiness program for startup and emerging creative businesses coordinated by Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CWE) and Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator (CBA). Through an application process, First Leap will select 10 startup and/or emerging creative businesses and guide them through an intensive, yet supportive, 7 month program delivered in 2 phases. Startups could include makers with prototypes, but no ideas on next steps. Emerging creative businesses are also encouraged to participate to sharpen…
Find out more »Assessing Your Record Keeping Practices
Are you still keeping track of your finances in a notebook or in a simple excel spreadsheet (if at all)? Why take the time to improve your bookkeeping system? An accounting expert from Wilke & Associates will break down the basics of good bookkeeping and explain how it can provide tangible benefits for your business. Learn how bookkeeping allows you to monitor the health and success of your business, how it can provide the information you need to make decisions, and lastly,…
Find out more »Getting Strategic: Budgeting and Planning
Planning for the future often feels out of reach for small business owners but it’s an important part of thinking strategically. We can’t anticipate everything that will come our way, but having a solid business budget can provide guidance for decisions and opportunities as they arise. Olga Pagoda, principal & co-founder of KRNLS, will lead this deep dive into how small business owners can budget for the coming year, and even plan further into the future. Olga has years of experience…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »Legal Best Practices for Wholesale and Purchase Orders
Do you offer wholesale and/or bulk ordering or are you thinking of offering it for your business? If so, you should have clear purchasing terms for your business. This not only streamlines the process for you, but also makes sure you and buyers are on the same page about things like shipping liability, pricing, defects, and more. In this webinar Marlene van Nelson of Trellis Legal, LLC will talk about the importance of purchasing terms and key provisions to include in your…
Find out more »February 2021
Understanding Your Business Legal Checklist
Join Marlene van Nelson, the founder and principal attorney at Trellis Legal, to explore the fundamental legal considerations for your small business. Marlene will walk through the Trellis Legal Business Checklist and explain items such as Operating Agreements, why you should create a separate business bank account, selecting an Entity, and basic business contracts. Check out the Trellis Legal Business Checklist REGISTER
Find out more »Tax Planning for Small Businesses
We will be joined once again by a certified CPA from Wilke and Associates to explore topics around financial health and planning. To help you prepare for the 2021 tax season, join us to learn more about commonly missed tax deductions, how entity choice relates to your taxes, and the 20% pass-through tax deduction, and how it may impact your income tax. REGISTER
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »The Fundamentals of Creative Business Photography
Photography is a key element for any creative business but hiring a photographer might not be an option for many reasons. Sam Laffey and Nathan Shaulis of Porter Loves are experts on this complex topic and will spend an hour discussing some strategies and tools for creating your own photography. Strategies For Stellar Product Photography On Any Budget PDF is password protected: iLoveM8C@mera REGISTER
Find out more »Design in Conversation: Where are the Black Makers, Artists, and Designers?
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Conclude Black History Month with a discussion on representation in design and the national maker community. This is a dedicated conversation, facilitated by the Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA), on paving pathways for Black craftspeople today. Join in on this panel discussion with makers and designers as they talk about the work, challenges, and importance of creating accessible entry points and visibility for Black creatives. This Design in Conversation was…
Find out more »March 2021
Identifying Your Brand and Understanding Your Customer
In this webinar, Madeline Farina, a freelance marketing consultant who specializes in small businesses, will explain why understanding your target customer is one of the most important steps you can take to get your marketing efforts to the next level. Knowing your target customer helps you think smart with your marketing budget and allows you to build a brand that they will be loyal to. With experience working at the corporate level as well as with small local startups, Madeline…
Find out more »E-Commerce Fundamentals
This Get Legit webinar is lead by Alecia Dawn, a Pittsburgh-based creative entrepreneur with a wide range of experience including non-profit management, owning a small business (YOGAMOTIF), and teaching. For this webinar, Alecia is combining content from the two E-Commerce videos she developed for the CBA (available to view in our Resources Section at the bottom of the page) and will discuss the fundamentals of creating an E-Commerce store for your business. There will be time for questions from the audience at…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »Let’s Talk Strategy with Nisha Blackwell
So now you have good bookkeeping practices, a solid legal foundation, a fully functioning e-commerce store, and great marketing collateral with your own photography. What next? To round out our Get Legit webinar series, Nisha Blackwell, Founder of Knotzland and Program Coordinator/Business Coach for the CBA’s ORIGINS Program, will discuss how you can take all of the business fundamentals you’ve built upon over the last few months and develop solid strategies to both stabilize and grow your business. Setting growth goals, identifying resources and supports, setting benchmarks,…
Find out more »April 2021
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »May 2021
How to Populate Your Virtual Market Page
May 5, 2021 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83307871903 Join Handmade Arcade Executive Director, Tricia Brancolini-Foley, as she walks you through how to log in and populate your maker page on the virtual marketplace. Included in the discussion will be image and logo advice and sizing, contact and social media links, SEO, writing a compelling maker narrative, and more. All makers will be sent their log-in information before this meeting takes place. There will be time for Q & A about…
Find out more »Facebook Business Manager Setup and Ad Creation
Social Media Advertising for Makers & Artists (Two Parts) Part 1: Facebook Business Manager Setup and Ad Creation May 12, 2021 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83007096871?pwd=bFJ4cGx2dW14OEZreTVWVCtTejdZdz09 Stop! Don’t click that “boost” button on your business’s Facebook posts! Instead, join Emily Willson from Pittsburgh-based consulting firm, Workhorse Collaborative, as she shows us how to create engaging customized ads on Facebook and Instagram that will actually reach your target audience. Following a short Facebook Business Manager tutorial, we’ll learn about digital advertising…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »June 2021
Design, Display and Décor: Tips for In-Person Vending
June 2, 2021 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86363482611 At a crowded marketplace, you have one shot at drawing in customers as they stroll by. Booth displays are often as important as the products that you create. Join Handmade Arcade's executive director, Tricia Brancolini-Foley, for a conversation about how to stand out in a crowd. With over 16 years of experience as both a maker and event planner, Tricia knows what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to creating a…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »July 2021
How to Interpret Your Results + Video Ad Creation
Social Media Advertising for Makers & Artists (Two Parts) Part 2: How to Interpret Your Results + Video Ad Creation July 7, 2021 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84087271601?pwd=UzQwMHNURVF1aFNDM3ZhZjVhV2NDQT09 How do you know if your social media ads are effective? What’s the difference between reach and impressions and why does it matter? What is a Facebook “pixel” and how do you get one? Led by Emily Willson from the Pittsburgh-based consulting firm, Workhorse Collaborative, we’ll learn how to interpret campaign results…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »August 2021
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »September 2021
How to Turn Lookers Into Buyers in Your Online Store
Your online store has visitors, but you don't see the traffic convert to sales. What’s going on? In this 90-minute webinar led by the Workhorse Collaborative, you’ll learn how to scan your e-commerce site for common oversights and to improve your customer journey. We’re talking real, actionable, practical tips, not buzzwords and theory. Plus: souls willing to brave a live assessment of their e-commerce experience in front of the group will get personalized, professional feedback on the spot in-session. REGISTER
Find out more »ORIGINS Cohort Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Cohort Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the Cohort is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »October 2021
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »November 2021
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »December 2021
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »January 2022
Creative Business Accelerator x ORIGINS Network: Orientation
We invite you to learn more about the Creative Business Accelerator (CBA) and the ORIGINS Network at Bridgeway Capital. You will meet members of the team and learn more about CBA/ ORIGINS programming. There will be time for Q&A during the information session so any questions that you may have will likely be ones that others have as well so please share away. Please register for the session below and I will be following up later in the day with calendar…
Find out more »First Leap Info Session
Interested in First Leap but want to learn more? Join us for an informational session led by the Creative Business Accelerator (CBA) and Chatham's Center for Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE). This session will cover the timeline for First Leap, as well as the program content and outcomes. We will also be joined by past participants who will be on hand to discuss their experience with First Leap. Both the CBA and CWE can answer questions about First Leap and discuss how…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »February 2022
Business Planning Bootcamp for Creatives
Can’t commit to a 7-week program? Check out our upcoming webinar instead. Creative entrepreneurs can join this free webinar to participate in an intensive unpacking of business planning essentials. Those already with guiding documentation can use the webinar to make sure their plan is relevant and refined. Those new to the process will learn more about the key elements that make business planning helpful in translating good ideas into next steps. Business Planning Bootcamp participants can use their business plans to…
Find out more »ORIGINS Business Coaching: Info Session
Are you an experimenting or emerging creative business looking to achieve greater financial resilience and increased confidence operating a growing business? Could you benefit from one-on-one support from an experienced creative entrepreneur and peer insights to realize your creative business goals? Starting and growing a creative business is difficult. It is even tougher for Black creatives encountering and navigating systemic and persistent barriers to opportunity. In addition, Pittsburgh offers a diverse range of small business development programs and resources that…
Find out more »ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »March 2022
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »April 2022
ORIGINS Network Monthly Meeting
ORIGINS Monthly Network Meeting The last Wednesday of every month from 6p.m. - 7p.m. A monthly meeting to provide a space for ORIGINS cohort members to gather, share ideas and opportunities, collaborate, and build community among peer creative businesses. ORIGINS is a dynamic, quickly growing initiative that seeks to grow connections among Black entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, the network is invited to an hour-long virtual meeting to meet new ORIGINS members, learn about resources and opportunities, and discuss…
Find out more »