Five Facts about our Incubator Program.
Why is the Incubator different than being in The Flea?
The Flea is an Accelerator Program- it lights your already-figured-out business on fire. It is perfect for those who have high emotional resilience OR have a lot of stuff totally figured out. The Incubator Program is for those who have some major stuff to figure out like branding, product development, operations, money stuff and more. If you feel like you’re 100% ready to open up a market stand without any sort of major anxiety, jump into Cleveland Flea! If not, the Incubator Program is best for you.
Why should I join the Incubator Program?
If you want to work for yourself and have a business that requires selling something (even if it’s your own services), the Incubator Program is for you. If you have something that you can sell at Cleveland Flea (either now or you’re building it) then it’s just an added bonus that we run a market. You’ll learn all the things you need to get your business up and running (or making more money in case that’s the issue) by the end of the program.
If you want to make money doing what you love- this is for you.
What is an Incubator Program, anyway?
Well it’s like a little incubator for your baby business who hasn’t quite developed all the necessary survival skills to thrive out in the cruel world. It’s like business school + co-op program (where you put into practice the skills your building) + a montessori school for adults. Still confused? It’s a practical business school for magical people who want to make the world a better place and build a business that makes their hearts soar.
How will it work?
It’s a 5-month online business program with a set curriculum that kicks off May 6th (if you joined early you get to tour the Spring Flea market with us on May 5th).
It costs $699 and it’s all due up front.
You’ll have a Dashboard here on our website that you’ll log in to access lessons, exercises and office hours with Steph Sheldon (our resident business coach / founder)
There will be opportunities for in-person meetings and meetups but most of the learning will take place online- it’s easy and fun and you’ll learn A LOT in a pretty simple way.
There are 10 Modules / Lessons- all delivered via your online dashboard (ie- you won’t miss anything because you just have to remember 1 login)
MODULE 1 | Business | Writing a Business Plan
MODULE 2 | Business | Creating Financial Goals
MODULE 3 | Business | Researching Permitting + Regulations
MODULE 4 | Product | Developing a unique, high-quality product for your Niche Market
MODULE 5 | Product | Product testing within your Niche Market
MODULE 6 | Product | Selling to your Dream Customers
MODULE 7 | Brand | Creating a Brand Identity
MODULE 8 | Brand | Social Media, Website, Photography
MODULE 9 | Brand | Marketing
MODULE 10 | Brand | CEO in training
What can I expect to have at the end of it?
Our goal is that your business is ready for launch- either with us at the market OR just in your own way at the end of your time with us.
You’ll have what we call The 3 C’s: Clarity, Confidence + Commitment
Clarity of Purpose, Focus, Business
Confidence in what you do and how you do it
Commitment to your Goals and your Business
We developed our Incubator Program because we want more of you amazing, creative independent brands out there making our world a better place.