Handmade Vendor to Business Owner: Your Guide to Kansas City Entrepreneurship

You know your craft, but do you know how to turn it into a profitable business? KCSourceLink is ready to help with a free Personalized Action Plan. Consider it your next steps and introductions to the (blast the horns) Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (end horns). This action plan, customized to your challenges and next business steps, will help you get serious about your creative business and your entrepreneurial journey. (Yep, you can add “entrepreneur” to your skill set now.)

KCSourceLink is a great connection for you, all along your path to building the creative business you’ve always dreamed of. They are a nonprofit (ergo, the “free” part) whose mission is to connect entrepreneurs (that’s you) with the low- and no-cost resources (re: other nonprofits that are charged with helping grow businesses and the KC economy) that they need to start and grow (i.e., get serious, and legal, about business).

What you get out of it? Serious time and money saved, searching around for people who can help you:

• research your target market

• understand your competition

• build an online presence

• network with like-minded makers and potential customers

• find funding

• get your business registered and licensed

• set up a legal structure for your business

• develop your business savvy and skills

• get inspired by others’ entrepreneurial journeys

• . . . get connected to the right resources

If any of those stump you, or if you don’t even know what questions you should be asking, KCSourceLink can help sort it all out.

How it works: head over to kcsourcelink.com/maker, fill out the form,  and within one business day, KCSourceLink will send you a Personalized Action Plan, chock full of your next steps and the low- and no-cost resources to help you get there. We’re talking about a customized plan of coaches, mentors, trainers and consultants, all nonprofit, all ready to help you start a creative business or grow it.

The morale of this story? You’re not alone. Help is nearby and ready to help coach you to success.

Upcoming events in Kansas City for maker and creator entrepreneurs

The KCSourceLink calendar is comprehensive and constantly updated by our Resource Partners so that you have access to all of the wonderful knowledge and networks that Kansas City has to offer. Sign up to our newsletter for a biweekly list of highlights, and check out these upcoming events for the crafty, creative and determined:

Tuesday, May 15 @ 8 a.m. Analyzing Financial Statements (Johnson County Community College)
Tuesday, May 15 @ 2:30 p.m. Trademark and Copyright Basics for the Small Business Owner (Kansas Small Business Development Center)
Tuesday, May 15 @ 6 p.m. Developing a Web Based Business: eCommerce (SCORE)

Wednesday, May 16 @ 8 a.m. Business Basics in a Day (Kansas Small Business Development Center)

Saturday, May 19 @ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair

Sunday, May 20 @ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair

Monday, May 21 @ 5 p.m. Multicultural Business Coalition Spring Social

Tuesday, May 22 @ 5:30 p.m. Social Media: Secrets and Strategies for Business (UMKC Small Business Technology and Development Center)
Tuesday, May 22 @ 6:30 p.m. Facebook Advertising for Small Businesses and Organizations (Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, MO)
Tuesday, May 29 @ 5:30 p.m. Reading and Understanding Financial Statements: It’s all about the Benjamins (UMKC Small Business Technology and Development Center)

How can we help you make the most of your craft?

You’re a natural. Everything you touch looks ready for Instagram and sells like hand-woven hotcakes. You’re a maker at heart and creative to a fault, now it’s time to be a business owner. Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community is ready to help (for free). Reach out.