Rural Creator Accelerator

February 2026 - December 2026

A free virtual accelerator for artists, designers, makers, and creative entrepreneurs ready to turn creativity into sustainable, profitable businesses.

Monthly workshops + networking cohorts • Bilingual programming (English & Spanish)

Facilitated by: Ellyn Mole
Grant supported by: Roundhouse Foundation

Why Rural Creator?

Designed for artists, designers, makers, and creative entrepreneurs
Support turning creativity into profitable businesses
Monthly workshops + networking cohorts online for easy accessibility.
Designed to be during your lunch hour at Noon PST

Program Outcomes:

Participants will…

Build business foundations & clarity
Gain practical skills in pricing, marketing, and systems Increase confidence in selling & visibility
Prepare for peak seasons & financial resilience
Connect with peers, mentors, and community resources

Program Structure

Each workshop includes a creative story, hands-on exercises, and peer discussion

Winter (Q1): Business Foundations, Planning & Strategy
Spring (Q2): Business Systems, Branding & Marketing
Summer (Q3): Selling with Confidence
Fall (Q4): Visibility & Holiday Readiness

2 Classes Each Month via Zoom

Workshops: 2nd Thursday each month at 12 PM
Cohorts: 4th Thursday each month (Nov/Dec = 3rd Thursday) at 12 PM
Monthly networking & peer support
Breakout room group discussions
Creative business introductions Icebreaker questions
Group discussion time Share challenges, successes, resources and ideas
Build accountability & community

Q1: Foundations & Planning

February: Creative-to-Business Mindset & Foundations of Creative Entrepreneurship
March: Pricing & Money Mindset: Charging What You’re Worth

Q2: Systems & Branding

April: Business Basics Made Simple: LLCs, Taxes, Legal Contracts and the Essentials
May: Visual Branding & Storytelling: Clarifying Your Message and Identity
June: Marketing Without Burnout

Q3: Selling With Confidence

July: Product & Brand Photography
August: Websites & Selling Online
September: Sales & Income Streams

Q4: Visibility & Holiday Readiness

October: Holiday Planning for Creatives
November: Funding, Grants & Financial Planning
December: Self-Care, Sustainability & What’s Next

What to Expect

Interactive educational workshops + actionable steps
Networking opportunities
Opportunities to reflect & plan
Access to navigators & facilitators 1:1 mentoring when you need it most
Collaborative peer community
Focus on long-term business sustainability
Connect with mentors & peers throughout the year

Applying & Commitment

Fill out the interest form to apply!
You may apply for 1 or all of the cohorts.
You will have to reapply for each cohort as the year moves forward
Commit to attend 1 workshops & 1 cohort monthly via Zoom
Apply lessons to your creative business
Complete optional exercises and reflection prompts
Engage in community group discussions and feedback

Connect with Rural Creators

Join our Rural CREATOR Facebook Group, made for Oregon artists and creatives to collaborate, ask questions and share resources
All are welcome It is a safe place for creatives to ask questions, find community, share resources and lift each other up
All updates on the Rural CREATOR course will be posted in the group monthly:
- Homework
- Discussion
- Questions
- Upcoming Speakers
- Workshop Topics