Learning Lab

“From Artist to Asset” is a business development workshop designed to help creative entrepreneurs, independent makers, and artists transform their talents into sustainable, revenue-generating ventures. Through a mix of storytelling, interactive exercises, and insights from guest speakers, participants will gain practical tools to build a strong brand, develop pricing strategies, and position themselves as marketable professionals, without compromising their creative vision.

Learning Outcomes:
* Define a personal brand rooted in their creative identity
* Identify the marketable value of their skillset
* Gain tools for setting deliverables and managing client relationships
* Understand business model frameworks tailored to creative work
* Leave with a one-page brand roadmap outlining goals, audience, messaging, and monetization.

This 3-hour workshop is a hands-on introduction to the basics of DIY video production, with the goal of demystifying video for Made in NYC members. We’ll explore some tools that are currently available to level up your phone-based content capture, and we’ll discuss techniques and approaches for achieving your communication objectives. The course will include a live demonstration of video creation from start to finish. Participants will leave the workshop empowered to create effective video content that connects with their audience AND builds their brand.

This workshop will take place in-person at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of the Learning Lab Forum on November 7, 2025. It will be offered again as a standalone workshop in spring 2026.

Learning Outcomes
* Identification of video communication objectives and needs
* Gain working knowledge of some tools available to elevate cell phone video quality
* Learn tips and tricks to get the most out of a video shoot
* Understanding of how to cater video approach for various styles/genres/platforms
* Familiarity with available editing tools

Profit Punk Workshop: Smash the Status Quo with Pricing, Budgets & Cash Flow That Actually Work
Money talks, but in your business, it should sing. This workshop is a no-fluff, hands-on deep dive into the three financial power tools every entrepreneur needs to master: pricing, budgeting, and cash flow management. We’ll cut through the guesswork, bust bad habits, and show you how to set prices that reflect your worth, build budgets that drive strategy, and forecast cash like a boss. You’ll leave with a plan that’s not just numbers on a page, but a living, breathing roadmap for profit and stability.

*Learning Outcomes: *
* Understand the connection between pricing, budgeting, and cash flow in sustaining and scaling a business.
* Learn practical methods for calculating prices that cover costs, build profit, and reflect market positioning.
* Create a budget that aligns with business goals and adapts to real-world changes.
* Develop a cash flow forecast to anticipate gaps, plan investments, and avoid “oh sht” money moments.
* Identify strategies to improve financial resilience and profitability.*

“Build a Beloved Newsletter” is a hands-on workshop designed to help artists and makers design and launch an email newsletter that feels authentic, consistent, and strategic. Participants will explore the core ingredients of a great newsletter—understanding their audience, defining value, setting cadence, and measuring success.

Through a mix of guided exercises, group discussion, and real-world examples, attendees will walk away with a working plan they can immediately implement to build stronger connections with their community and grow their business through email.

Learning Outcomes:
* Define the primary audience and purpose of your email newsletter
* Identify the type of value your newsletter will consistently deliver
* Learn how to set cadence, measure success, and maintain consistency
* Leave with a newsletter blueprint: audience insights, goals, content strategy, consistency tools, and more

This 90-minute workshop offers approachable, snack-sized lessons on communication strategies tailored specifically to the busy small business owner. We’ll start with owned media, including your website and social channels, and cover best practices regarding email newsletters, and simple ways to elevate your brand’s existing visual language for the holidays. You will learn the value in strategic opportunities for earned media, like connecting to local gift guides and influencers.

Learning Outcomes:
* Refresh your brand’s existing digital communications strategy
* Increase your earned media opportunities
* Receive downloadable resources to guide your brand’s visual language and content strategy for the holidays

Ready For Retail is a 90-minute interactive workshop designed for emerging brands and makers that are ready for growth. Learn from a local gift shop owner all of the important and practical ways to get your products “shelf ready”. From building a linesheet, refining your packaging design, demystifying wholesale versus consignment, to sending the perfect intro email to prospective stockists - this workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move beyond the maker’s market and approach retailers with confidence.

This workshop will take place in-person at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of the Learning Lab Forum on November 7, 2025. It will be offered again as a standalone workshop twice in spring 2026.

Learning Outcomes
* Learn best practices for building a linesheet specific to your product type
* Gain practical tips for designing “shelf-ready” product packaging
* Understand the pros and cons of consignment vs. wholesale to unlock the right path for your brand
* Learn the best ways to approach & pitch retailers

Funding freaks you out? You’re not alone. For too many entrepreneurs, asking for money feels like begging, or worse selling your soul. This workshop kicks fear to the curb and arms you with the mindset, language, and strategy to go after the capital your business deserves. We’ll unpack the myths, tackle the “I’m not ready” story, and help you understand your funding options without drowning in jargon. By the end, you’ll see funding as a tool, not a threat and you’ll know exactly how to wield it.

Learning Outcomes:
* Recognize and dismantle common mental and emotional barriers to seeking funding.
* Learn the differences between debt, equity, and alternative funding—and when each makes sense.
* Assess their funding readiness and identify gaps to close before applying.
* Develop a confident, concise way to talk about their business and funding needs.
* Leave with an actionable plan for next steps toward securing capital.

Identify your Ideal Customer: Making Personas and Mapping Customer Journey
This hands-on workshop introduces participants to actionable design strategies for understanding user behaviors, motivations, and needs. In the first half, participants will collaborate in small groups to develop two key personas: one representing current users and another reflecting an ideal user aligned with their organization’s values. Through guided analysis of demographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors, participants will gain deeper insight into their audiences. In the second half, they will use one of the personas to create a customer journey map that illustrates how a specific user interacts with a product or service over time and across various touchpoints. Designed to bridge the gap between community needs and product or service development, this workshop equips participants with practical tools to design with empathy and clarity.

Learning Outcomes:
* Practice user research techniques to gather insights about users
* Construct focused and actionable user personas based on data
* Map a customer journey across touchpoints to identify pain points and opportunities for engagement
* Use persona and journey mapping to inform user-centered improvements in products or services

Join me for an informative session where you’ll learn the essentials of trademark registration and how they can protect and strengthen your brand. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or creative professional, understanding trademark registration is key to safeguarding your hard work and growing your business with confidence.

*Learning Outcomes: *
* What a trademark is and how it differs from other forms of intellectual property.
* Why trademark registration matters for building and protecting your brand identity.
* The different protections of trademark registration and LLC/business entity formation.
* A walk through of the trademark registration process.
* How to conduct a trademark clearance search to ensure your brand name, logo, or slogan is available and legally safe to use.
* By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with practical knowledge to help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions about protecting your business and your brand.

Sell smart, not loud! During this workshop, we’ll guide you on how to craft impactful sales strategies tailored to the introvert’s strengths. Ditch the draining small talk and learn how to leverage your thoughtful nature, deep listening skills, and passion for your craft to close deals and build meaningful connections.

We’ll discuss different strategies to navigate conversations authentically while building your confidence. Learn to tell your story and showcase your work in a way that resonates deeply, and sell without selling out. Navigate sales conversations authentically and build lasting relationships, while making the most of online and offline spaces.

By the end of this workshop equipped with actionable strategies to confidently turn your passion into profit, the introvert way!

Brand as Narrative: Crafting Identity and Promotional Materials with Purpose
In today’s highly competitive landscape, a unique and distinguished brand identity is essential. Your personal brand is a powerful asset that can help you stand out and connect with your audience. This workshop guides you through the process of developing a compelling personal brand and designing marketing materials that effectively promote your products and services.

Through engaging brainstorming exercises and real-world case studies, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to elevate your presence. Designed for creatives and entrepreneurs alike, this workshop offers essential strategies for building an authentic and impactful brand—especially in the evolving landscape of the AI era.

Learning Outcomes:
* Develop a unique personal brand and cohesive marketing materials to promote their products and services
* Write a clear and focused personal brand statement
* Design a personal brand style guide to ensure visual and verbal consistency
* Create marketing collaterals aligned with their brand identity
* Explore effective strategies for promoting their brand, both in-person and online