A no-cost education and network-building series designed to help gig and maker businesses scale and grow. Presented by the IEE’s PantherlabWorks.
Turn your gig maker business into a better business.
Each week with Made To Last, a panel of maker entrepreneurs and industry experts will address business qualities you should consider to reach the next level of success as a small business owner. This program is presented by the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence’s PantherlabWorks.
April 9 — May 14 / 6:00-7:30PM
Six In-Person evening sessions with networking beginning at 5:30pm
@ University of Pittsburgh’s Murdoch Hall, 3rd Floor (3420 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15261)
WEEK 1: Defining Success
— TUESDAY, APRIL 9 —
Success can look different. This session will discuss setting appropriate goals, selecting sales channels, understanding pain points, and visualizing your success.
WEEK 2: Planning for Success
— TUESDAY, APRIL 16 —
The focus is on creating and understanding the importance of accurate financial documents, including taxes, and understanding funding options.
WEEK 3: Engaging Online
— TUESDAY, APRIL 23 —
The panel will highlight brand identity from social media platforms and best practices, eCommerce, and the importance of a website and content creation.
WEEK 4: Engaging In Person
— TUESDAY, APRIL 30 —
Experts will explain the importance of engaging customers in all environments, whether talking with a customer at a craft fair or in your retail location. This session will discuss wholesaling as you grow.
WEEK 5: Scaling Operations & Production
— TUESDAY, MAY 7 —
The panel will highlight how to connect with manufacturing and distribution resources that take your business to the next step.
WEEK 6: Building Your Team
— TUESDAY, MAY 14 —
You will learn how to build your team as the expert panel discusses the importance of having an accountant, attorney, banker, insurance broker, and marketing on your team.
“I have gotten a lot of good information such as learning how to market oneself and the product(s) from all of the presenters over the course so far.”
– Made To Last participant
“Each week has been an opportunity to learn different aspects of owning/going into one’s own business.”
– Made To Last participant
“Learning from real makers that started out like us with similar lack of experience is valuable. I immediately put some of the things I learned to use and made more money more confidently.”
– Made To Last participant
Presented by the IEE’s PantherlabWorks
PantherlabWorks, the commercialization center of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh, assists startups and business owners in the Pittsburgh region by providing product development-based consulting, educational workshops, and networking opportunities.