Interact Studio

We are so excited to announce that we’ve been accepted into the Spring 2026 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) developed by @cltiscreative CEI is a 10-week program that will provide us with fellowship, business training, and access to subject-matter experts to help us grow our creative business. We can’t wait to get started! A huge thank you to the supporters making this possible: @wellsfargo & @mecklenburgcounty (ARPA funds) @interactstudio & @dogreater Follow @cltiscreative to learn more and follow our journey! @keudisanchz & @MilagrosUgueto

✨ CONGRATULATIONS FALL 2025 CEI COHORT! ✨⁣ ⁣ We are incredibly proud of the 15 local creatives below who graduated from the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative at a special ceremony at The Pearl on Tuesday night. TRAINING AND FUNDING These amazing humans were paid to attend 10 classes introducing them to important business practices, strategies and ideas taught by industry experts, and will receive additional mentor support and counsel in the months ahead. Plus, each received a $1,500 stipend to invest in their creative business. THE POWER OF CONNECTION Most importantly, these folks came together as a creative unit. Despite their different backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives, they chose to work together, support one another and sharpen each other’s skills. We cannot wait to see what they do for themselves and together in the years ahead. We are proud of each and every one of them. OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS AND PARTNERS CEI is powered by @charlotteiscreative with support from @wellsfargo , @mecklenburgcounty , @interactstudio , @dogreater and @aspirecommunitycapital FOLLOW THE COHORT We will be introducing the Spring 2026 cohort very shortly, but before then, we urge you to follow, get to know and hire them! ALLISON GRAHAM⁣ Theater IG: @allibgram ⁣ DANOSHIA BLAKE⁣ Textiles & Visual Arts⁣ IG: @tuft.shxt ⁣ ⁣ DERRA MOISE⁣ Visual Artist⁣ IG: @derra.joy ⁣ ⁣ DESTINY REEVES⁣ Fashion Designer/Instructor⁣ IG: @meniapaige ⁣ ⁣ DEVAUN CLYBURN⁣ Photography/Videography/Filmmaking/Music⁣ IG: @dev.isfine ⁣ ⁣ ELLA STAFFORD⁣ Ceramics and Education⁣ IG: @villagestudionc ⁣ ⁣ HANNAH PERMENTER⁣ Illustration⁣ IG: @hannah_permenter01 ⁣ ⁣ JOHARI HUGGINS⁣ Muralist and Illustrator⁣ IG: @joharihuggs ⁣ ⁣ KRISTIN HOPE⁣ Florist⁣ IG: @everythingprettycollective ⁣ MOLLY PARTYKA⁣ Expressionistic Mixed Media Artist⁣ IG: @mollypartyka ⁣ ⁣ NICK WILL⁣ Documentary Filmmaking/Director⁣ IG: @mislabeled.productions ⁣ ⁣ NORMA ZUNIGA⁣ Mexican Baking⁣ IG: @dulcedreamscafe ⁣ ⁣ SUSAN CHERIN⁣ Theater IG: @thelotusprojectnc ⁣ ⁣ TASIA BROWN⁣ Visual Creative Director⁣ IG: @tasia.b__ ⁣ ⁣ WHITNEY GALASSO⁣ Ceramic Artist⁣ IG: @whitsko ⁣ ⁣ #CharlotteIsCreative #CreativeCLT #CLTArts #CLTInspo #CreativeEntrepreneur

The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative hosted by @cltiscreative came to a close this past Tuesday evening with our cohort’s graduation! So many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put all the details of this program together @afewminertweaks @seturaval and @mattolincreative (we missed you Matt and are sending all our hugs and love ❤️) This program brought about many shifts that will continue to resonate for @thelotusprojectnc for years to come! A TOAST to the MOST incredible group of humans who never stopped lifting each other up - it’ll be hard to stay in touch but we gotta do it! What a privilege and an honor to witness the growth and creative joy of @villagestudionc @joharihuggs @allibgram @tasia.b__ @mollypartyka @dulcedreamscafe @hannah_permenter01 @whitsko @tuft.shxt @derra.joy @everythingprettycollective @meniapaige @devography.raw The real MVP is @nickwill.makeit of @mislabeled.productions who brilliantly put together our final project featuring all 15 creatives. Link to watch is in my bio and if you listen carefully you may hear a familiar voice singing in the background. (I had no idea Nick used this until we were all watching it together - What a fun surprise!) Gratitude for our instructors: @aspirecommunitycapital @rscommunications @melissakd009 @sangmsjayme And esp @merenator and @mydeanslist who had the biggest impact on me AND is featured in our final project - check it out!! Huge thanks to our sponsors who made it all possible! What a difference you’re making for so many artists! @wellsfargo @dogreater @mecklenburgcounty @interactstudio #cltiscreative #cltarts #gratitude #cohort #nonprofit #thelotusprojectnc

Applications for the Spring 2026 Cohort ARE OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 12! We’ve got 15 spots — and one of them may be yours. ⁣ ⁣ Cohort members are PAID! to attend 10 business classes, get individual counsel, an alumni network of amazing creative friends and a $1,500 stipend to invest in your creative business!⁣ ⁣ Whether you’re part-time or full-time, CEI gives you the confidence and knowledge to chart a sustainable path forward. Applications open on Monday, Sept. 15 at the link in our bio.⁣ ⁣ 𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬⁣ Want to test-drive the program to get a sense of what it’s like? You are welcome to attend of this fall’s CEI classes for FREE:⁣ ⁣ ➡️9/15 – Project Management & Budget⁣ ➡️9/22 – Budgeting & Business Finance (taught by ASPIRE Community Capital)⁣ ➡️9/29 – Contracting for Creatives⁣ ➡️10/6 – Overcoming Fear & Imposter Syndrome⁣ ➡️10/13 – Relationship Building & Communication⁣ ➡️10/20 – Marketing & Promotion⁣ Register to attend any or all of the classes below HERE.⁣ ⁣ The CEI Program was founded and is managed by Charlotte Is Creative with funding from @wellsfargo , @mecklenburgcounty ARPA and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), with support from @aspirecommunitycapital , @aspirecommunitycapital , @interactstudio and @creativelabclt

🚨APPLY FOR CEI! 🚨 Starting TODAY, you can now apply for our 10-week creative business training program known as the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) for 2026! CEI Participants Receive: ✅ 10 classes ✅ 1-on-1 business consultations and creative mentors ✅Increased social capital and networking opportunities ✅Promotion via @cltiscreative media channels ✅A supportive and collaborative Alumni network ✅Access to learning materials to use after the class ✅$50 stipend to attend each class ✅$1,500 grant, upon successful completion of the CEI program You have until Oct. 12 to apply, so start NOW! Link in bio 🔗 CEI is made possible with funds from @wellsfargo and @mecklenburgcounty with funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). CEI also receives resource support from @aspirecommunitycapital , @interactstudio and the @dogreater

𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬! 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬! 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗘𝗜!⁣ ⁣Applications for the Spring 2026 Cohort open next week. We’ve got 15 spots — and one of them could be yours. ⁣ ⁣ Cohort members are PAID! to attend 10 business classes, get individual counsel, an alumni network of amazing creative friends and a $1,500 stipend to invest in your creative business!⁣ ⁣ Whether you’re part-time or full-time, CEI gives you the confidence and knowledge to chart a sustainable path forward. Applications open on Monday, Sept. 15 at the link in our bio.⁣ ⁣ 𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬⁣ Want to test-drive the program to get a sense of what it’s like? You are welcome to attend of this fall’s CEI classes for FREE:⁣ ⁣ ➡️9/15 – Project Management & Budget⁣ ➡️9/22 – Budgeting & Business Finance (taught by ASPIRE Community Capital)⁣ ➡️9/29 – Contracting for Creatives⁣ ➡️10/6 – Overcoming Fear & Imposter Syndrome⁣ ➡️10/13 – Relationship Building & Communication⁣ ➡️10/20 – Marketing & Promotion⁣ Register to attend any or all of the classes below HERE.⁣ ⁣ The CEI Program was founded and is managed by Charlotte Is Creative with funding from @wellsfargo , @mecklenburgcounty ARPA and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), with support from @aspirecommunitycapital , @aspirecommunitycapital , @interactstudio and @creativelabclt

For the next 10 weeks, I will be participating in the CEI Cohort, so there are no classes on Monday nights 😢. But let me tell you, the light bulbs are already flashing. Although I have an MBA, nothing prepares you for real life as a business owner. I play at a minimum of 10 roles as an owner, instructor, @eacoterie and mom. I'm learning little gems and new ways to pivot, and it's only week 2. I'll be sharing my journey as I go.

I’m super stoked to announce that I’ve been accepted into the Fall 2025 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative developed by @cltiscreative ! CEI is a 10-week program held twice a year that will provide us with fellowship, business training, access to subject-matter experts, and an opportunity to develop and grow our creative businesses. CEI is supported by @WellsFargo and @mecklenburgcounty with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as support from @interactstudio and @dogreater - a huge thank you to our supporters! Learn more about CEI and Charlotte Is Creative by following @cltiscreative !

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘’𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙! The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is BACK! ⁣ ⁣ Last night we kicked off the 2025 Fall Cohort at @creativelabclt 🙌 We got to know each other and dove into a powerhouse session with the @mecklenburgcounty Office of Economic Development—covering how to run your own SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.⁣ ⁣ ✨ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: The Office of Economic Development has incredible free tools, programs + services to help small business owners (yes, creatives too).⁣ ⁣ 👀 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲? While this cohort is closed, 6 of their 10 classes are OPEN + FREE for YOU. RSVP now 👉 [link in bio]⁣ ⁣ 📅 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿: Applications for the Spring 2026 CEI cohort open Sept. 15. 15 spots. 1 chance to show us why it’s your time.⁣ ⁣ 🎨 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗧 ⬇️⁣ ⁣ ALLISON GRAHAM⁣ Theater Arts⁣ IG: @allibgram ⁣ ⁣ DANOSHIA BLAKE⁣ Custom Handmade Rugs⁣ IG: @tuft.shxt ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ DERRA MOISE⁣ Visual Artist⁣ IG: @derra.joy ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ MENIA REEVES⁣ Fashion Designer/Instructor⁣ IG: @meniapaige ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ DEV CLYBURN⁣ Photography/Videography⁣ IG: @dev.isfine ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ELLA STAFFORD⁣ Ceramics and Education⁣ IG: @villagestudionc ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ HANNAH PERMENTER⁣ Illustration⁣ IG: @hannah_permenter01 ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ JOHARI HUGGINS⁣ Muralist and Illustrator⁣ IG: @joharihuggs ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ KRISTIN HOPE⁣ Floral Artist⁣ IG: @everythingprettycollective.com ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ MOLLY PARTYKA⁣ Expressionistic Mixed Media Artist⁣ IG: @mollypartyka ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ NICK WILLIAMSON⁣ Documentary Filmmaking⁣ IG: @mislabeled.productions ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ NORMA ZUNIGA⁣ Mexican Baking⁣ IG: @dulcedreamscafe ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ SUSAN CHERIN⁣ Theater Director⁣ IG: @thelotusprojectnc ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ TASIA BROWN⁣ Visual Creative Director⁣ IG: @tasia.b__ ⁣ ⁣ WHITNEY GALASSO⁣ Ceramic Artist⁣ IG: @whitsko ⁣ ⁣ 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨, 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗦!⁣ 💡 CEI is powered by @charlotteiscreative with support from @wellsfargo @mecklenburgcounty @interactstudio @dogreater .⁣ ⁣ #CEICLT #CharlotteIsCreative #CLTcreatives #CLTartists

Ahhhh! 🤩🤩 I am so excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the Fall 2025 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative developed by @cltiscreative ! CEI is supported by @WellsFargo and @mecklenburgcounty with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as support from @interactstudio and @dogreater - a huge thank you to our supporters! 💕💕 CEI is a 10-week program held twice a year that will provide us with fellowship, business training, access to subject-matter experts, and an opportunity to develop and grow our creative businesses. ⭐️🙏🏾 Learn more about CEI and Charlotte Is Creative by following @cltiscreative ! #meniapaige #cltdesigner #creativeentrepeneur #fashiondesigner

I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been accepted into the Fall 2025 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative developed by @cltiscreative ! CEI is supported by @WellsFargo and @mecklenburgcounty with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as support from @interactstudio and @dogreater - Thank you so much to all our supporters! CEI is a 10-week program held twice a year that will provide us with fellowship, business training, access to subject-matter experts, and an opportunity to develop and grow our creative businesses. Learn more about CEI and Charlotte Is Creative by following @cltiscreative !

I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been accepted into the Fall 2025 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative developed by @cltiscreative ! CEI is supported by @WellsFargo and @mecklenburgcounty with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as support from @interactstudio and @dogreater - Thank you so much to all our supporters! CEI is a 10-week program held twice a year that will provide us with fellowship, business training, access to subject-matter experts, and an opportunity to develop and grow our creative businesses. Learn more about CEI and Charlotte Is Creative by following @cltiscreative !