Create. Sell. Grow: 5 Week Business Building Cohort for Makers & Creatives

You know how to create. Now let’s build the business behind it! A 5-week cohort for Aurora makers, artists, vendors & creatives. Create. Sell. Grow: Business Building Cohort for Makers & Creatives Are you an Aurora artist, maker, pop-up or flea market vendor, side hustler, or emerging creative entrepreneur ready to get more intentional about your business? Create. Sell. Grow. is a five-week business-building cohort designed to help you strengthen the business behind what you create through practical small business support, financial coaching, tools, and accountability. You'll build while you learn — and participants who complete the program requirements can choose to pitch for one of five Implementation Support Microgrants of up to $2,000 each to help put what they've learned into action. What You'll Work On Over five weeks, you'll build skills and practical tools around: • Sept. 30th: Business Planning – turn your idea or side hustle into a clearer business vision and plan • Oct. 7th: Banking & Capital Readiness – understand business banking, credit, and capital readiness • Oct. 14th: Budgeting & Cash Flow – manage irregular income, track expenses, and better understand your money • Oct. 21st: Retail, Vendor & Pricing Readiness – strengthen your pricing and prepare for pop-ups, markets, vendor opportunities, and retail environments • Oct. 28th: Systems for Growth – create simple systems for managing customers, orders, payments, and day-to-day operations What You'll Walk Away With This isn't just about learning — you'll build while you learn. You'll work toward developing a business plan, financial tracking tools, a personalized financial action plan, banking and capital readiness tools, a retail and pricing plan, and simple systems for operating your business. You'll also receive two individual financial coaching sessions through the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center to help you apply what you're learning to your own financial goals and business. The Commitment This is a cohort — not a drop-in workshop series. We're looking for participants who are ready to show up, do the work, and build alongside us. Wednesdays | September 30th – October 28th | 6:00–7:30 PM City of Aurora Public Works Department | 2185 Liberty St., Aurora, IL 60502 In-person attendance is strongly encouraged. A virtual option will also be available. Participants will complete two required 1:1 FEC financial coaching sessions during the cohort and should be prepared to work on practical business tools and assignments between sessions. Business Readiness Showcase November 18th | In Person | 6:00–7:30 PM City of Aurora Public Works Department | 2185 Liberty St., Aurora, IL 60502 We'll close out the cohort with certificates, food, celebration, and our Business Readiness Showcase — a chance to recognize what you've built and take your next step. Participants interested in pitching for a microgrant must attend the required cohort sessions, complete both 1:1 financial coaching sessions and required program deliverables, and present their business and proposed use of funds at the Showcase. Want all the details? View the full curriculum, learning outcomes, participant deliverables, and Implementation Support Microgrant information in the agenda & FAQ section of eventbrite. The goal is simple: leave with more than information — leave better prepared to build, operate, and grow your business. Who Should Apply? This cohort may be for you if you: • Create art, handmade products, goods, or other creative work you sell or are preparing to sell • Sell through pop-ups, flea markets, art fairs, vendor events, online platforms, or a side hustle • Want to treat your creative work more intentionally as a business • Need more structure around business planning, finances, pricing, banking, retail readiness, or operations • Can commit to the five-week cohort, individual coaching, and work between sessions • Are ready to take what you learn and actually use it • Email [email protected] or call (630) 256-4551 for specific questions or inquiries • Please note: Create. Sell. Grow. is designed for makers, artists, vendors, and creative entrepreneurs whose businesses align with the scope of the program. Food-based businesses and businesses requiring specialized professional, health, kitchen, or facility licensing—including licensed personal care services such as hair and nail services—are not eligible at this time. If you're unsure whether your business fits the program, please contact the FEC before registering. You don't need to have everything figured out. You do need to be ready to learn, build, and take your business seriously. Space is limited and registration will close once the cohort is full.