Make It Count

For Early Career Makers

Are you in the early stages of setting up your craft business or practice?

This programme is for makers who have started a solo creative business and are working out how to shape a professional practice that feels both authentic and viable.

Are you feeling overwhelmed about how much there is to get to grips with?

Through 9 sessions based on expert guidance, workshop content, peer-to-peer learning, and real-world testing of your own practice, you’ll gain confidence and the tools you need to create a solid foundation for your business.

Based on Cockpit’s tried and tested programme for new makers joining our studios, Make It Count will help you shape your business vision and values, set SMART goals, plan for the future, navigate finance and pricing, identify your market and customers, and optimise opportunities and events.

Coming Soon: Make It Count will launch in January 2026

“I am two sessions into the ‘Make it Count’ programme and am really enjoying it so far. I have taken part in several business courses in the past but am finding this one particularly motivational. I think because I am surrounded by lots of other craftspeople and many of us are tackling the same issues and insecurities – it’s great to get different viewpoints from people going through the same challenges as you!”

Workshop Participant

Make It Count

This programme is perfect for makers who want to gain business know-how, set professional goals, and build confidence in their creative practice.

Make It Count is for you if: 

  • You are serious about building your own creative business 
  • You are skilled in your craft, with a plan, the networks, and an understanding of the quality required to be successful
  • You have creative development skills and the ability to generate new ideas, with the potential to be competitive in your chosen field or market  
  • You have a signature body of work that is ready to take to market or that could become market-ready in the coming year
  • You have already registered as a sole trader or are considering doing so, though you might not have filed your first tax return
  • You have a broad vision and sense of direction for where you want to take your practice  
  • You have knowledge of the sector in which you intend to operate – for example key organisations and relevant role models  
  • You have identified some of the doors you need to knock on or have interesting leads and opportunities that you can test during the programme  
  • Your business has the potential to be viable and sustainable on defined terms 
  • You aspire for your craft business to become a primary source of income or a key component of a portfolio practice 
  • You are able to invest sufficient time in your business to ensure success
  • You are able to be self-directed and motivated and to create your own plan with initial or periodic support 

Bespoke Programmes for Organisations

For organisations looking to commission a bespoke workshop package in alignment with the needs of your members and budget, please email our Head of Business Incubation David Crump to learn more or schedule a call.

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