Louisville partners with Etsy to launch Craft Entrepreneurship Program

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LOUISVILLE, KY., – Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Louisville is partnering with online marketplace provider Etsy to launch the city’s inaugural Craft Entrepreneurship Program. The three-week program will provide micro-business training to underemployed, low-income adults with existing creative skills to help supplement their income and sell their products to new markets.

“Etsy has a global reach that allows buyers from all over the world to purchase handmade products from right here in Louisville,” Fischer said. “This combination of creativity and innovation provides the opportunity for people to gain a strong foundation of business skills and sense of accomplishment.”

Etsy

The program begins on Tuesday, August 18th at the Nia Center. Local makers will participate in a training program that will guide them through becoming craft entrepreneurs. Students will learn the basics of starting and running an online business including pricing, basic accounting, product photography and marketing.

Nia Center

“This program reinforces the holistic approach Louisville Forward takes to business development, from micro-businesses and sole proprietors to medium-sized enterprise expansions,” said Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, chief of Louisville Forward. “Each one is vitally important to Louisville’s growing entrepreneurial eco-system.”

Local businesses are helping with the program. Good Garbage will contribute creative supplies while Kiva City Louisville will provide participants with information on small business loans.

Registration for the program is open, but space is limited. To qualify for the program, participants must be over 18 years of age, attend all six classes, have access to a computer and have a handmade craft product.

For more information on the Craft Entrepreneurship Program, including registration and class schedule, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/etsy-entrepreneurship.

Etsy

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods.

Their mission is to reimagine commerce to build a more fulfilling and lasting world. Etsy is

headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Learn more at www.etsy.com.

Good Garbage

Good Garbage is Louisville’s only center for creative reuse, where materials destined for the landfill meet art with the mission is to divert usable materials from the landfill into the hands of educators, artists, crafters and kids.

Kiva City Louisville

The Kiva City program helps small business owners get the financing they need to grow and create jobs. Kiva Cities are partnerships between local community groups, microfinance organizations and Kiva Zip Trustees working together to connect Kiva leaders to trusted entrepreneurs in their communities.