Three Creative Leaders, Three Funding Strategies

Elizabeth Van Fleck: Development Officer of TITAS Dance/Unbound Elizabeth

Have you sought funding for your organization?

Yes, funding has been sought.

In what ways have you sought funding for your organization? If you have not, how were you able to grow without outside capital?

Through city cultural contracts, state contracts, foundation support, New England Foundation city arts, donor citation letters (twice a year), fundraising events (relationship-building and to provide a deeper experience for Continue reading

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Georgia Hidi Explores Ways Creatives Raise Funds (if they do)

The following interviews, conducted by Georgia Hidi, seek to understand:

  • If creative entrepreneurs typically seek capital in starting their organizations
    • OR if leaders of nonprofit leaders, how they raise funds
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

Samantha Schell – “Dress Don’t Guess” Samantha Schell JPEG

http://dressdontguess.com/

Have you sought funding for your organization?
No.

In what ways have you sought funding for your organization? If not, how were you able to grow without outside capital? Continue reading

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3 Expert Creative Entrepreneurs and the Advice they Offer

The following interviews, conducted by Hanna Mandery, seek to understand:

  • If creative entrepreneurs typically seek capital in starting their organizations
    • OR if leaders of nonprofit leaders, how they raise funds
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

Ryan Reed: Visual Voice Media Ryan Reed

H: What is your name and your organization’s name? What does your organization do?

R: Our organization is called Visual Voice Media. We are a full service media company, and we produce corporate and commercial videos.

H: Have you sought funding for your organization?

R: Yes, I have sought Continue reading

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How are Creative Entrepreneurs Finding Funding (or Are They?)

The following interviews, conducted by Kate Vogel, seek to understand:

  • If these creative entrepreneurs sought capital in starting their organization
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

Kim Castner: GoGreenLunchbox, LLC Kim Headshot 

Have you sought funding for your organization?

No, we started the business, I had a business partner. We agreed to each put $30,000 Continue reading

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Planning, Building Relationships, and Collaborating

The following interviews, conducted by Avery Alexander, seek to understand:

  • If these creative entrepreneurs sought capital in starting their organization
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

Zebretta Johnson (Schooling Talent) IMG_2567

Have you sought funding for your organization?

We did not seek funding for the profit side. Usually, when funding is given, it is out of the heart or interest of the person/giver, or through private Continue reading

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Three Nonprofit Leaders on Raising Funds

The following interviews, conducted by Swikriti Shahi, seek to understand:

  • If creative entrepreneurs typically seek capital in starting their organization
    • If leaders of nonprofits, rather than entrepreneurs, how they raise funds
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

Audrey White, Readers 2 Leaders 501© (3), Development Manager Audrey White, Development Manager

Have you sought funding for your organization?

Yes, my primary role as the development manager is to seek Continue reading

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How Nonprofit Leaders Fundraise & Advice They Have to Offer

The following interviews, conducted by Andrew McBride, seek to understand:

  • If these creative entrepreneurs (or a nonprofit leader) sought capital in starting their organization
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

James Jillson- Nasher Sculpture Center – 501(c)(3) James Jillson- Nasher Sculpture Center

Have you sought funding for your organization, and in what ways have you done so?

Yes, the bulk of my job at the Nasher involves raising funds from individuals for the Nasher. This includes Continue reading

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Coco Bonvecchio & the Entrepreneurs

The following interviews, conducted by Coco Bonvecchio, seek to understand:

  • If these creative entrepreneurs sought capital in starting their organization
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

First: PlayFore Games LLC, Founder and Creator, Brandon Fernandez BrandonF

https://www.playforegames.com

Have you sought funding for your organization?

Yeah, I took a personal loan from my parents actually, of $25,000 to manufacture my first purchase order.

In what ways have you sought funding for your organization? If you have not, how were you able to grow without outside capital?

Using traditional financing no. Continue reading

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Is Attracting Capital Necessary for a Startup?

The following interviews, conducted by Jack Mayo, seek to understand:

  • If these creative entrepreneurs sought capital in starting their organization
  • What ways they may have done so, if applicable
  • What advice they have for aspiring creative entrepreneurs. 

This interview process is part of SMU Meadows’ class Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital.

Ezra Cohen, EzraCohen.TV:

Ezra CohenQ: Have you sought funding for your organization?

A: I’ve never taken funding… I started working as a freelancer. First time around was a senior in college, and I took any job I could possibly get. My first gig was Continue reading

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Callie Nelson asks, “Are Business Plans Necessary?”

The following interview series and analysis was conducted by Callie Nelson, an Arts Entrepreneurship student at Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts. The goal of this project was to assess if creative entrepreneurs typically start with a business plan and if they think they are necessary.

Cabell Gorman 

Cabell Gorman is both the founder and owner of the Cabell Gallery, located in Lexington, Virginia, and is also an avid painter. Her works are sold in her gallery and online at cabellgorman.com. However, the Cabell Gallery was not her first business. Cabell’s entrepreneurial career began as an owner and operator of a candle manufacturing company, “Candles by Cousins.” Cabell received her BS in Art and Sociology from Hollins University, so through the interview, she Continue reading

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