Erica Elk
Craft And Design
The Executive Director of The Craft & Design Institute shares her insights for starting and growing a business in the design and craft sector.
Tuck InErica Elk is the founding executive director of the Craft and Design Institute (CDI). She's a combination of practitioner, implementer and strategist and carves out time to develop her own artistic practice while playing an active role in the development of the CDI. Erica has twice been recognised as one of Africa’s most Influential Women in Business and Government by CEO Global for her work in the sector. She is currently a co-chair of the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Reference Group inputting in a national Masterplan for the Cultural and Creative Industries.
10 Tasty Bites
Below is a preview of what you can expect to learn in this recipe.
1 - What Has It Been Like To Hold Such An Influential Position In The Design And Craft Sector?
2 - What Is The Best Advice You've Received As A Creative In Business?
3 - What Is Design Thinking?
4 - Why Is It So Important For Entrepreneurs To Embrace The Principles Of Strong Design?
5 - What Is A Good Approach To Brainstorming?
6 - What Should A Creative Entrepreneur Know About Building Their Business?
7 - What Are Some Recurring Mistakes Made By Creative And Artisanal Entrepreneurs?
8 - How Can Creative Entrepreneurs Gain Traction In International Markets?
9 - How Can Creative Entrepreneurs Better Support One Another?
10 - How Can Entrepreneurs Engage With The Craft And Design Institute?
About This Recipe
South Africa is well-known for its vibrant art, design and craft scene. A huge draw for tourists from all over the world and a boost to the economy, the local creative scene is massively valuable and needs to be supported as such. The Craft & Design Institute has been supporting creative entrepreneurs, first in the Western Cape and then nationally, for many years now by offering product, business and market support to small creative businesses. The Executive Director Erica Elk shares her top advice for creative entrepreneurs.
What You'll Learn
In this recipe, Erica shares her experience at the helm of one of the most valuable art, craft and design institutions in the country. She also unpacks Design Thinking and why it's important for entrepreneurs to embrace the strong principles of design. You will learn how to approach brainstorming effectively, the mistakes you need to avoid as a creative entrepreneur, how to access international markets, where you can sign up to the Craft & Design Institute and more.
Learn
Learn from someone who speaks from a position of real authority, perspective and experience.
Do
Implement practical tips and techniques learned in the trenches - doing, rather than talking.
Share
Join a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs in our growing community and share your learnings as you go.
Get Learning
This entrepreneurial micro-course will take you only a few minutes per day (or you can binge if you want to). Feel free to skip around and please let us know what you think.
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