Makers Speed Date

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MONDAY, JANUARY 15TH @ VAE RALEIGH

SPEED DATES are thematized 30-minute one-on-ones with area smartypants who can answer your pressing professional questions! This time, we are excited to host four shop owners and store experts from around the Triangle to answer your questions about getting your work into a store! Register while space is available! 

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HOW IT WORKS

This is your chance to pick some smart brains in a relaxed, comfortable environment! You should come with a few questions you want to ask your guru(s) during your 30-minute meeting(s). The Speed Date registration form will give them a little background on you before you meet so you won't have to start your conversation totally from scratch.

This event will be held from 2-6 pm on Monday, January 15. That time frame is just when the gurus are available to meet. You get to pick who you meet with and when (depending on availability). Pick and choose your TWO dates to suit your needs and schedule!

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REGISTRATION

STEP ONE: Complete the registration form through Wufoo [CLICK HERE]. You will be asked for your contact information and a short survey of questions to help the gurus understand your needs. This event is FREE for current VAE members and $10 for non-members.

Questions/prompts Include:
 - What are the five words that BEST describe your creative work?
-  What are the main challenges with getting your work into a store?  
-  What's the main reason why you want to attend this event?
-  What's one thing you're looking to leave the event knowing? 

STEP TWO: Once you've completed step one we'll give you a link to an outside scheduling service called Sign Up Genius where you will choose the guru(s) and time(s) you want. Once you've done that and hit submit, you're 100% registered!

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MEET YOUR DATES

Alice Southwick
Ackland Museum Store, Chapel-Hill  
Alice has been the Manager of the Ackland Art Museum since its opening in 2011. She has even owned a few shops herself, including a bakery and a Japanese Paper boutique. She holds degrees in Fine Art and Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and has over 20 years of Commercial Interior Design experience serving the Cambridge, MA and San Francisco, CA area.

Pam Blondin
DECO, Raleigh
Pam opened Deco Raleigh after serving almost 30 years as a non-profit executive. The store began as a mission focused on creating connections and supporting the community. Today, the store features almost 200 unique brands and, since 2012, has sold goods produced by more than 100 local makers and artisans. Deco has donated more than $40,000 in cash and goods to local charities and arts organizations.  

Krista Anne, The Mothership, Durham
Krista Anne was born and raised on a farm in North Carolina. In 2012, she founded The Makery, an online shop and showcase for North Carolina makers. In 2014, the store found a brick and mortar home. The Makery won The Smoffice Competition, two Indy Awards, and was featured on FastCoDesign and Southern Living online. In 2017 the shop merged with their neighbors to become The Mothership, a shop, coworking, and event space. Krista is also a programmer and works with startups, and is primarily interested in bringing femme values and heart into business and technology.