Artisan Entrepreneurship Program
Main Street Morgantown and the MAC are teaming up with Bridgeway Capital to launch the first Artisan Entrepreneurship Program in Morgantown.
Artists, makers, designers, and craftspeople use sophisticated skills in their creative practice, but their entrepreneurship often remains underdeveloped.
Bridgeway Capital's Alliance for Creative Rural Economies (ACRE) program coupled with the MAC's and Main Street Morgantown's local connections make this an irresistible opportunity.
Main Street Morgantown's Artisan Entrepreneurship program is supported by generous granting from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, The Huntington Foundation, and Truist WV Foundation.
The Retail Lab at 201 High Street
In partnership with WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, Main Street Morgantown has transformed its former office on High Street into a pop-up retail lab accelerator to give cohort members, students, and community creatives opportunities to sell their work on consignment and receive specific feedback on their products. In true community collaboration, The Retail Lab’s highly visible space will be curated and run by students in WVU’s Fashion, Design and Merchandising Program, allowing University students to garner real-life experience in retail, sales, merchandising and buying.
AEP: How I Built This Series
The Artisan Entrepreneurship Program presents a six-part series, inspired by the "How I Built This" podcast, featuring conversations with creative entrepreneurs who share their insights and experiences. Each event provides practical advice and inspiration for both aspiring and established business owners.
📍 Location: The Retail Lab, 201 High St., Morgantown, WV
⏳ Duration: 1 hour
🎟 Free Registration Required
How I Grew My Business with Ben McMillen
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 21, 6:00 PM
🎙 Guest Speaker: Ben McMillen, owner of Hilltop Packs (hilltoppacks.com)
💡 Topic: Learn how Ben transformed an idea into a thriving small business in the outdoor gear industry. Gain insights into his journey, challenges, and strategies for growth.
How I Market My Business with Ephriam Pittore
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 18, 6:00 PM
🎙 Guest Speaker: Ephriam Pittore, founder of Lizard Tail Belts (ltbelts.com)
💡 Topic: Discover how Ephriam leverages social media advertising, SEO, and website optimization to effectively market his brand.
How I Built a Customer Base with Emily Sokolosky
📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 6:00 PM
🎙 Guest Speaker: Emily Sokolosky, owner of Base Camp Printing (basecampprinting.co)
💡 Topic: Explore Emily’s approach to building a loyal customer base for her letterpress print shop and sustaining long-term relationships in a niche market.
Join for an evening of inspiration, conversation and creativity at the Retail Lab!
📢 This initiative is presented by Main Street Morgantown and funded by The Benedum Foundation.
2024 ACRE Cohort
Chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 50 applicants, the inaugural cohort for Monongalia County’s first Artisan Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) will spend a year developing a business plan, setting financial goals, meeting with business coaches, and utilizing spaces to design, showcase and sell their work, all while making local connections. Participants range in specialties from ceramicists, textile artists, printmakers, and sellers of natural products and other creative works.
| J.M.Bocan | John | Bocan |
| Bixby Studios LLC | Chad | Sine |
| Burnt Cabin Press/Liz Prints | Elizabeth | Urse |
| CJ Sews | Carolyn (CJ) | Helenski |
| Curated Wonder LLC | Terran | Quinlan |
| Hill & Holler Herbal Company | Caroline | Nicholas |
| Jen Allen Ceramics LLC | Jennifer | Allen |
| Lock House Studio LLC | Lisa | Giuliani |
| Nampara Sculpture and Arts | Jamie | Lester |
| Shalya Marsh Studios | Shalya | Marsh |
| Spring Fox Studios, LLC | Elisha | Rush |
| Reclaimed Threads | Kelly | Dlugos |
| ACJ Studio LLC | Andre | Joseph |
| Acute Peach Art | Elizabeth | Hannah |
| Chasing Happy, LLC/DBA Moonlight Market | Pascha | Adamo |
| Deerjerk | Bryn | Perrott |
| Heather Lepp Ceramics | Heather | Lepp |
| Icelandic Ponies | Danielle | Martin |
| Mon Valley Mushrooms | Lucas and Jamie | Sieber and Brown |
| Mountain Creek Glass | Sarah | Hoblitzell |
| Wild Indigo Wares | Samantha | McCreery |
| YNST Media LLC (dba YNST Magazine) | Adam | Payne |
Monongalia Arts Center Studio Space
In partnership with the Monongalia Arts Center, ACRE participants can request to display their work public studio space tours, share their trade through classes and events, and access low-cost studio space as a place to create their work.