You talk—we listen!

Over the past year, we’ve heard from so many creatives who want to turn their “thing” into a business—whether it’s a side hustle or a full-time venture. You asked for tools to help make it happen, and we’re thrilled to announce that help is on the way.

Create Appalachia is partnering with FoundersForge to bring their powerful Avante Entrepreneurship Bootcamp to our region—customized just for creative entrepreneurs.

Why reinvent the wheel when there’s already a great program designed to launch businesses? Together, we’re tailoring Avante specifically for people who combine creativity, technology, and business to make a living. That means you—chefs, artists, digital makers, and artisans of all kinds.

Over six weeks, participants will:

• Learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship

• Get hands-on with practical tools for building and growing a business

• Connect with mentors, peers, and local resources

• Compete in a final pitch session for prizes!

Thanks to a generous Arts Support Project grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, tuition for the first three cohorts will be just $150 for Tennessee residents (and $200 for out-of-state participants). That’s a fraction of what this course costs in other markets—an incredible value for anyone ready to take their creative work to the next level.

📅 Registration opens soon!
Want to be first in line? Email katie@createappalachia.org to reserve your spot in a winter or early spring cohort.

Let’s turn those creative sparks into thriving, sustainable businesses—together.