Craft Your Commerce NEW - Mountain BizWorks

Learn . Create . Grow

Craft Your Commerce, a program by Mountain BizWorks, is designed for artists, craftspeople, makers, designers, and creatives of all kinds. Whether you’re starting, growing, or scaling your business, Craft Your Commerce offers workshops, networking events, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to support you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Developed by creatives in business for creatives in business, our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of creative entrepreneurs.

Support Resources for Creatives

A New Monthly Series for Creatives

Join us for Craft Your Commerce Connect, a monthly gathering designed for artists, craftspeople, and creative entrepreneurs. This learning series provides a space to connect with peers, exchange insights, and grow your business skills in an inspiring, supportive environment.

Each session offers focused discussions, practical tools, and collaborative opportunities to help you navigate the unique challenges of running a creative business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, Craft Your Commerce Connect is your chance to learn, share, and thrive in community.

March Connect: Marketing Plans Made Simple

Take the stress out of marketing with this 2-hour session led by marketing expert Liz Kantner. This workshop will break down the essentials of creating a clear, actionable marketing plan with templates for creating your own marketing strategy plan.

Friday, March 21, 2025
11:00pm -1:00pm ET
IN PERSON | Center for Craft
Register Here

Focused Grant Writing for Creatives and Arts-Affiliated Organizations

Join Tanya Ledford of The Grant Guides for a hands-on workshop designed to demystify the application process for two key arts grants: the Arts AVL Arts Business Grant (due March 14, 2025) and the South Arts Artist Grant (opening March 19, 2025). In this focused session, you’ll learn best practices for staying organized, crafting clear and compelling applications, and ethically leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT. The workshop will conclude with a dedicated work session, where you’ll have time to apply what you’ve learned, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance—ensuring you leave with confidence and a stronger proposal.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025
2:00-5:00pm ET
In Person | Center for Craft
Register Here

Introduction to Fiscal Sponsorship with Fractured Atlas

This workshop will provide an overview of fiscal sponsorship at Fractured Atlas. We’ll go over what fiscal sponsorship is, the benefits of Fractured Atlas’s program, and how to apply, with time for a Q&A!

From Fractured Atlas: “Fundraising is a skill you need to realize your projects: fiscal sponsorship is the tool that makes fundraising possible. Through fiscal sponsorship, you can leverage some of the benefits of Fractured Atlas’s tax-exempt status to access discounted space, solicit tax-deductible donations, and apply for funding from corporations and foundations.”

Wednesday, March 19th, 2-4PM
Virtual via Zoom
Register Here

Tax Time Q&A

Craft Your Commerce is partnering with Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax and Rebecca Strimer of OnTrack to address key tax questions facing the creative sector as we approach tax season. Tax time can be stressful for any small business owner, but it can be especially hard for creatives, and even more so in the wake of Hurricane Helene. You may be wondering whether grants or crowdfunding is taxable, or how to account for disaster losses. Join us for a live Q&A session to help address these topics and more!

Monday, March 24th
2PM-4PM
In-Person at the Center for Craft

Foundations Business Planning for Creatives

Join a cohort of aspiring and beginning entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring that vision into reality. Participants will gain a clear perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies, and will have the opportunity to leave the course with a comprehensive business plan and concrete tasks for future work.

Mondays, April 7th-May 2nd
5:30PM-8:30PM
Virtual via Zoom

Business Coaching

Craft Your Commerce has a dedicated creative coaching team available for you to work with! Access coaching for personalized support from accountants, grant writers, marketing pros, HR specialist, web developers and ecommerce experts, who all understand the needs of creative based businesses. Click the link below to complete the coaching form and check out our creative coach team. You can request to work with a specific coach or multiple coaches to meet your business needs.

Complete the Coaching Form Here

Meet our Creative Coaches

Craft Your Commerce Book Club

Calling all creative minds! Join our quarterly book club to connect, learn, and grow with fellow makers and doers. Each session dives into a great book to spark ideas, fuel conversations, and inspire your creative business and practice.

We will start the year with “Make Your Art No Matter What” by Beth Pickens.

Choose Your Path

Craft Your Commerce is here to stand with WNC creatives, providing support and resources to help you navigate the recovery journey from Hurricane Helene.

Get Funding

Mountain BizWorks' WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund helps small businesses close the gap between when the disaster strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds are approved.

WNC Strong Recovery Resources

The WNC Strong website serves as a regional hub for Hurricane Helene recovery. Visit for the latest grant, loan, and recovery resources, including workshops and additional technical assistance.

ArtsAVL Resource Database

ArtsAVL is maintaining a database of resources geared toward artists and the creative community. Visit to view grants, disaster resources, and stay up to date with the latest for creatives.

JOIN OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST

Read Success Stories from Creatives

Attend an orientation session

Not sure where to start?

Join us for an online, interactive information session to discover what resources are available at Mountain BizWorks that will help you start, grow, and thrive in your business. Hosted by our Learning Department, this session is a great opportunity to learn more about Mountain BizWorks’ small business lending and learning programs.