CREATE CONSULTS
WHAT IS CREATE CONSULTS?
Geared towards entrepreneurs, artists, and nonprofits in the Greater Birmingham region that have been in business for at least 12 months, this professional assistance program will provide $1200 towards consultations for local ventures with experts recruited by Create Birmingham. Every participant will have an initial intake meeting with a Create Birmingham staff member. Using the CO.STARTERS Business Model Canvas, the entrepreneur will “walk” staff through each building block of their business, allowing for self-discovery of potential weaknesses and knowledge areas that might need strengthening. This process will also better inform staff on how to create a customized firm-learning track with the consultants who can be most beneficial.
Ten participants will be selected for each session. If selected, the participant pays a $25 commitment fee and signs a pledge agreeing to complete the required programs, show up for the intake, show up for the ten hours of consulting sessions, and provide feedback for reporting purposes.
Session 1: Fall 2022
Session 2: Spring 2023
Applications open Wednesday, Feb 22nd
Applications close on March 22nd
Consulting completed by June 30th
Session 3: Fall 2023
Applications open Wednesday, August 2nd
Applications Close on August 30th
Consulting completed by December 6th
Session 4: Spring 2024
Applications open Wednesday, Feb 21st
Applications close on March 20th
Consulting completed by June 30th
WHO ARE THE CONSULTANTS?
THE PROCESS
You’ll start by filling out an application. Please indicate where your business license is registered – City of Birmingham, City of Bessemer, or Other.
Ten participants will be selected for each cohort. If selected, the participant pays a $25 commitment fee and signs a pledge agreeing to complete the required programs, show up for the intake, show up for the consulting sessions, and provide feedback for reporting purposes.
You are required to participate in our Create Foundation Sessions. It is a virtual self-paced program. Each session takes about 60 minutes to complete.
1. Assessing & Addressing You and Your Customer explores the ways your time, income, routines, etc. have changed.
2. The Evolution of Your Customer & Product explores the problem you’re solving and the solution and benefit you provide.
3. But At What Cost dives into your fixed and variable costs, new costs, and breakeven points.
You will have an initial intake meeting with a Create Birmingham staff member. Using the CO.STARTERS Business Model Canvas you will “walk” staff through each building block of your venture.
You will receive $1,200 worth of consulting time. The consultants selected for you are based on your self discovery, intake, challenges, and goals for your venture.
You will participate in an exit interview/final consultation at the end of your process. This is an important discovery process in our evaluation of the program and its impact.
Create Consults is made possible thanks to the generosity of The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
If you would like to help support creative entrepreneurs through this process, please contact Meg Nelson, Director of Development, at 205-458-1393.