The B-Side:
Many designers and other creative professionals fantasize about owning their own business, but the process of starting and running a profitable creative business can seem confusing or intimidating. Our B-Side programming is designed to demystify the business side of creativity with a series of presentations from local industry leaders on creating a business entity; handling finances, accounting, and taxes; writing estimates, contracts, and creative briefs; project management; client relationships; and self-promotion/marketing.
Creative Business 101: Getting Started
March 28 // 6:00–8:00 p.m. // HQ Raleigh
Keynote Speakers: Jeanne Taylor, Marketing Director at ShopBot & Woody Holliman, Associate Professor at Meredith College
In our first B-Side session, Creative Business 101, you will discover what it takes to launch your own creative enterprise. Whether your goal is simply to quit your day job and become a full-time freelancer, turn a craft-based hobby into a lucrative livelihood, or become the owner and creative director of a full-fledged design agency, this workshop will teach you the fundamentals you need to know about choosing a business name, defining your market niche, writing a business plan, raising startup cash, deciding what type of business structure to adopt (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC), registering your business name with the state, and obtaining a local business license. You will also learn some pros and cons of different office/work environments, such as a home office, co-working space, or commercial studio.
Future Classes (These classes are included with the package deal pricing)
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Managing Client Relationships : You Want it When?!
April 20 // 6:00–8:00 p.m. // HQ Raleigh
Keynote Speaker: Clay Schossow, Director of Client Relations and Business Development at New Media Campaigns
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The Money Game: Finances, Accounting & Taxes
May 18 // 6:00–8:00 p.m. // HQ Raleigh
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Jones, CPA
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Taking Care of Business: Procedures, Paperwork & Project Management
June 15th // 6:00–8:00 p.m. // HQ Raleigh
Keynote Speaker: Karl Sakas, Business Consultant & Coach for Digital Marketing Agencies
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Self-Promotion: Marketing your Business & Finding New Clients/Customers
July 20th // 6:00–8:00 p.m. // HQ Raleigh
Keynote Speaker: AJ McDonald
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Panel Discussion: What We Learned the Hard Way
August // 6:00-8:00p.m //HQ Raleigh
Owners of several local design agencies to share their experiences launching and operating a creative company.
FAQs
What the heck is this “B-side” business? What’s the B-side all about?
It is a program AIGA Raleigh designed to help creatives become more confident, successful, and knowledgeable as entrepreneurs. Most of us have got the creative side down, but struggle with the business side! The B-side is designed to demystify the business side of creativity biz.
Presentations and classes will be given by local industry leaders and will include topics such as creating a business entity; handling finances, accounting, and taxes; writing estimates, contracts, and creative briefs; project management; client relationships; and self-promotion/marketing.
What is the difference between the package deal and the individual classes?
We know some creative entrepreneurs will be at different levels in their career, that is why we created a package pricing vs an a’ la carte pricing. The package pricing is designed for the person who will need all the facts, just starting out, or has been freelancing for a while and wants to make that next leap. The a’ la carte pricing is designed for the person who has been in business for a while, but needs a more focused conversation on specific topics.
Here is the pricing of the different packages:
- Package Deal for AIGA Members: $120
- Package Deal for Future Members: $140
- AIGA Raleigh and HQ Raleigh Members: $25.00
- Future Member: $30.00
- AIGA Raleigh Student: $15.00
What should I bring to the event?
We will provide complimentary hot tea and coffee along with water. In order to be environmentally conscious we ask attendees bring a reusable mug for coffee/tea or waterbottle for water.
Since you plan to attend several classes (wink...wink), we recommend attendees bring a notebook to take notes.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, we will have a list of attendees.
Where do I park and it is free?
Depending on where you park you will have to pay for parking. You can park on the street, but depending on the time you may have to use meterd parking spaces.
There are several nearby parking decks:
There are several nearby parking lots:
