As part of Ampersand Studios’ &Grow program, we recently kicked off an exciting three-part Lunch & Learn series in partnership with two powerhouse entrepreneurs, Kamilah Sanders, Founder of Greater Than Equal, and Jessica Murray, Founder of Empower. This series is designed to equip creative business owners with the tools, knowledge, and strategies they need to grow their ventures.
Part 1: Creating Systems for Business Growth
Led by Kamilah Sanders and Jessica Murray, this first workshop was an eye-opener for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. The session focused on the importance of having the right systems in place to catalyze growth. Attendees learned about the key resources—whether it’s strategy, planning, or talent—that are essential for long-term success.
Key Takeaway: Building an efficient system is the backbone of growth, and the right infrastructure can enable creative entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best.
Part 2: Pitching Yourself & Your Business
Jessica Murray returned for the second workshop, joined by Danny Pippin, to dive into one of the most critical skills for any entrepreneur: pitching. Whether you’re pitching to investors, potential clients, or networking peers, knowing how to tell your story is essential. The session provided practical advice on how to craft a compelling, engaging pitch deck that not only tells your story but resonates with your audience.
Key Takeaway: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to pitching. Entrepreneurs must adapt their story based on their audience, whether they’re speaking to investors, clients, or collaborators.
Part 3: Raising Money & Access to Finance
For the final workshop, Kamilah Sanders teamed up with Deanna Meador to address one of the biggest hurdles for small business owners: raising capital. This hands-on session equipped attendees with actionable strategies for securing funding, drawing on insights from entrepreneurs who have recently completed fundraising rounds.
Key Takeaway: The funding journey is unique for every entrepreneur, but building the right network and understanding available resources can make all the difference.
Emerging Themes from Attendees
As Jessica shared on her LinkedIn, three key themes surfaced as attendees asked questions and shared their experiences throughout the workshops:
Choosing the Right Software: Many business owners are eager to find the best platforms to streamline their operations but often feel overwhelmed by the choices. Attendees sought guidance on selecting the right tools to address their specific workflow challenges.
Crafting a Tailored Pitch: Entrepreneurs quickly learned that a pitch is not one-size-fits-all. Whether speaking to investors or prospective clients, knowing how to adapt their message is crucial to making an impact.
Supportive Community: A sense of camaraderie was palpable throughout the series, with attendees exchanging feedback, ideas, and support. Many remarked that being surrounded by others on a similar journey provided the inspiration and accountability they needed.
As this workshop series comes to a close, we’re excited to see how our Ampersand Studios community will implement these strategies and continue to support each other as they grow. If you missed this series, be sure to keep an eye out for more &Grow programming to help you on your entrepreneurial journey!
Interested in joining a future &Grow event? Stay tuned for more updates from Ampersand Studios on our &Events calendar.
