✓ Share ideas with other artisan business owners from around the world
✓ Learn the essential aspects of running an international artisan business
✓ Access resources to reach more customers internationally
Are you someone who:
- is uncertain about what US buyers are looking for?
- wants to export to the US but not sure where to start?
- is curious about tradeshows in the US?
- needs help building a presence online?
- feels out of touch with current designs and trends?
- wants to develop business skills to make connections in the global artisan industry?
- feels unsure if your prices are covering all your costs?
Let us be Your Guide
We understand how difficult it is to break into the US Export market when you've never done it before. That's exactly why Aid to Artisans (ATA) created its' signature in-person training over 25 years ago, called the Market Readiness Program (MRP). The team of presenters, Mentors and staff here at Aid to Artisans collectively have dozens of years of experience in the market and running successful businesses. We have learned countless lessons in how to run a successful international artisan business. We want to share those lessons with you so that you don't have to fall into the same mistakes.
The Market Readiness Program was designed to help prepare artisan businesses to enter into the international trade show market through training, mentoring, and group work, all done in person in New York City at the NY NOW gift show.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel was cut around the world and ATA was no longer able to host the program in New York. Through the creation of Artisan Business Lab, ATA has been able to bring back the MRP virtually.
The eMarket Readiness Program (eMRP) continues the mission of the MRP, with the added benefits of being accessible to more participants from around the world at a fraction of the cost to you. We've had over 260 eMRP alumni come through the program who have participated in English, Spanish and French.
The eMRP is a program created specifically for the artisan sector, that can help YOU grow, all from the comfort of your own home.
Tackle Your Challenges
Take a leap of faith to gain the confidence you need to build a strong market presence for your business through live, online presentations from industry experts! Presentation topics range from mastering your businesses sales strategy, to feeling confident about building relationships with buyers.
Let's Hear From 3 of Our 260 Alumni...
Debbie Tingley from Hands to Heart/Lanna Foundation in Thailand
2020 eMRP Participants
What was your personal learning goal at the beginning of this training?
"To learn how to export to the US."
The first thing she will do to apply her learning is to...
"Re-calculate all of our ex-works pricing, retail into the US, and comparative pricing research."
What is your biggest takeaway from the eMRP?
"We can build a successful business if we are meticulous about our costing and pricing, developing products based on market research, and telling our story with beautiful imagery and concise copy. Getting organised for export takes time, but it's very doable!"
What part of the eMRP was most useful?
"Costing and pricing! And how product development informs pricing."
Simret Abatneh from Simret Design in Ethiopia
2022 eMRP Participant
Simret's personal goal before the eMRP was...
"To build customer relations not only in our country [Ethiopia] but around the world to know about world market."
The part of the eMRP that she found the most useful was...
"All of them [everything] was helpful but about how to build customer relations was very helpful for me."
Her biggest takeaway from the eMRP was that...
"It's important to know what we are good at and also what makes our products unique and to meets the needs of local and international market using strategies.
How to get our customers or consumer it doesn't have always to meet them face to face but we can also use e-commerce, social media, pop up shop."
In the next 6-12 months after the program...
"First I will improve the quality of my products (product development) in order to make it international not only local and I will be more involved in e-commerce Marketing."
Diane Manning of Oliveseed.org in California, USA
2020 eMRP Participant
When starting this training:
"My original goal was to gain a more holistic understanding of the artisan craft sector from design and production to marketing and selling.
My goal was to train, support, and mentor artisans to adapt their designs and products to the tastes of a US buyer, and provide them with the business skills they need in order to develop and grow their own artisan enterprises whether it be wholesale, retail, or online direct.
I was planning to figure out how to offer this training myself, and was planning to work first with a beading cooperative... However, after the first day and conversation with my small group advisor, I decided that I want to create my own non-profit or granting foundation to fund on-the-ground artisan training."
Her biggest takeaway from the eMRP was that...
"[Artisans should] pivot to online and adapt products to the trends and color palettes that people seem to looking for during this time.... [Being] online is actually a democratizing factor in that artisans can reach their customers directly without going through middle people, wholesale shows, etc. But the BIG IF will be access to the tools, technology and skills to be able to sell online and the ability to adapt their products to fit these trends."
You Deserve Global Recognition!
✓ Leave with a clear action plan, created by you, to achieve your goals
✓ A 4-day program with live online course sessions, panel discussions & networking opportunities, all via Zoom
✓ Get direct feedback on your brand with optional Small Group Coaching
**ticket without coaching also available below
A program tailored for the artisan industry. We welcome....
> International Artisan Brands
> Artisan Producers
> Artisan Exporters & Importers
> Designers
> USA-Based retailers and brands
> Leadership Members of Craft-Based Enterprises
> International Development Professionals
> Individuals and students interested in the artisan sector
Registration closes at 5pm EST on August 29th, 2023, or once registration is full.
The eMRP program fee can be paid by Credit Card or Paypal.
Creative Learning / Aid to Artisans reserves the right to cancel any training course due to insufficient enrollment at least 7 calendar days in advance of the scheduled course date. Notice will be provided with the option to reschedule for a future course date or to receive a full refund of paid registration fees.
Meet eMRP 2022 Alumna Umzara from Blyana
Meet Umzara, owner of the artisan businesses Blyana from India. Umzara shares that one of her biggest challenges prior to joining the 2022 eMarket Readiness Program (eMRP) was that she was unsure which of her products were relevant in the US market. Listen to how she has tackled these challenges after attending the program and her goals are moving foward!
Sign Up Today in 3 Easy Steps
1
Click the button below to buy your ticket and secure your spot
2
Complete the intake form and share more about who you are with us
3
Start your journey to international growth
Take Advantage of Small Group Coaching Sessions
When you buy a standard ticket with Small Group Coaching, you get 4 exclusive one-hour Small Group coaching sessions with our expert mentors and five to six of your peers. You'll have the opportunity to discuss the topics from the day and how they apply to your business. Get direct, market-based feedback on your products, branding, strategy, and more during these breakout sessions held on Zoom.
What was the most useful/helpful part of Small Group Coaching?
"She [Small Group Mentor Agus Cattaneo] is so motivated, connected to each of us. She is so willing to give everything that she knows. She put down herself in our level to make us comfortable and point out big thing about our self, brand and the way we do things. She is so helpful. Thank you!" - eMRP 2022 Aida Tadesse of AIDESHO in Ethiopia
Additional Resources Exclusively for You
✓Access to recorded presentations from industry experts for 6-months
✓ Digital ATA training workbook and handouts
✓ Access to a community of artisan entrepreneurs and artisan industry experts
Meet Your Presenters & Small Group Mentors
Our team of presenters & small group mentors bring together decades of international handmade business experience. They have been through what you are going through themselves, making them the perfect people to help guide you through the challenges you may be facing running and growing a business in the artisan sector.
Our presenters will be leading our daily presentations. Our Small Group Mentors will provide you with opportunities to access direct feedback on your brand if you are a part of small group coaching. Some presenters are also small group mentors.
**Presenters & Mentors subject to change in 2023
(in order from left to right)
Lauren Barkume - ATA Training Director (Costing & Pricing Strategies)
Aviva Maya Shulem - Founder of Aviva Maya Design (Product Development & Design)
Susan Easton - Founder of From the Road (Market Overview & Sales Strategies)
Stacey Edgar - Founder of Global Girlfriend (Intro to Artisan Marketing)
Laurie Kanes - Founder of 12 Small Things (Building Customer Relationships)
Agus Cattaneo - Founder of Learn While Exploring (Global Consumer & Color Trends)
(in order from left to right)
Marcella Echavarria - Founder of SURevolution
Daniela Viscarra - Professional Textile & Product Designer
Guillermo Jester - Founder of fashion company Guillermo Jester
Nathalie Tancrede - Artisan and fair-trade business advisor
Kristine Jones - Expert in market access and promoting indigenous economic development
Dondrill Glover - Creative Consultant and founder of Ahmesa
Registration closes at 5pm EST on August 29th, 2023, or once registration is full.
Don't Take it From Us, Take it From Our Alumni...
Camila Gillman from Sett & Beat in South Africa
2021 eMRP Participant
What was your personal learning goal at the beginning of this training?
"To learn how to export to the US."
The first thing she will do to apply her learning is to...
"Re-calculate all of our ex-works pricing, retail into the US, and comparative pricing research."
What is your biggest takeaway from the eMRP?
"We can build a successful business if we are meticulous about our costing and pricing, developing products based on market research, and telling our story with beautiful imagery and concise copy. Getting organised for export takes time, but it's very doable!"
What part of the eMRP was most useful?
"Costing and pricing! And how product development informs pricing."
Umzara Abraham from Blyana in India
2022 eMRP Participant
What part of the eMRP was most helpful or useful?
"The small group coaching, marketing and trends lesson. And the buyers meet especially."
What was the most helpful/useful part of the Small Group Coaching?
"It helped me understand where I should be leaning towards in terms of products and how am I supposed to set the goals to achieve them."
What are your 6-12 month's goals after the program?
"Our 6-month goal is to get the products out in the market and analyze which of our designs are working, secondly finding and approaching the correct buyer for our products. And perhaps do the Trade show which will be good fit for our products."
Sangya Gyawali from Blooh in Washington DC / Nairobi
2020 eMRP Participant
"When launching any venture, there’s a lot of overwhelm and the pandemic added a whole new dimension to that feeling. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to follow through with the idea.
Having a program like the eMRP felt like being guided by a lighthouse. The cohort made me feel less alone in the journey and gave me the confidence and the contacts I needed to just get started. That was the biggest step.
Since the program, we launched online! We identified and trained our artisan partners during the first half of the year and launched our own designs during the 2nd half. We now have a couple of best sellers and have been building a lot of great brand sentiment from our customers. We’re on track to do 250-300 sales by the end of the year."
Bringing Artisan Businesses Together
For over 45 years we have been connecting artisans to resources, education, and more importantly -- to each other. Here are a few more of our alumni.
Not fluent in English? ¿No habla Inglés? Ne parlez-vous pas l'Anglias?
This course can be offered in Spanish and French if enough interest is expressed by large groups. Email [email protected] for more information.
Module Breakdown
**Subject to change for 2023
~Day 1:
Learn everything there is to know about Global Consumer & Design Trends from one of our industry expert, Agus Cattaneo.
~Day 2:
Hear from our product development and design expert, Aviva Shulem, and get the insights you need to create products that are on trend in the US market. Then, learn about costing & pricing for export with ATA Training Director, Lauren Barkume.
~Day 3:
Take a deep dive into marketing strategies with Stacey Edgar, and then learn how to map out your sales strategy for the US market with Susan Easton. Then, grab your favorite drink and join us in our virtual global networking cocktail hour and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, buyers, and industry experts.
~Day 4:
Listen to eMRP alumni and learn about their experiences before, during, and after the program. After, Laurie Kanes will teach you how to build relationships with your customers. Then, join many industry experts in our Buyer Panel and take the opportunity to ask any questions you have for US buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the registration deadline?
August 29th, 2023, at 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. You must complete your payment before the course registration closes to join the course.
What is the Small Group Coaching?
If you purchase a ticket with Small Group Coaching, you'll be matched with an expert Mentor with industry experience and five to six peers in the artisan sector. You'll have a chance to discuss your personal challenges and goals, get product and market feedback, discuss the eMRP topics and how they apply to you, and learn from your peers during 4 one-hour coaching sessions held on Zoom in breakout rooms. By the end of the coaching sessions, you'll create concrete goals and an action plan to move you business forward. The sessions will be held from 1:00-2:15pm daily from September 19-22, 2023.
What if I can't attend all of the workshop days?
We understand you can't always attend for the entire time! This is why you will have exclusive access to all of the recorded videos for 6 months following the program, and you can re-watch unlimited number of times.
Do you offer scholarships?
Unfortunately, we do not have any available scholarships.
Can I get a discount?
Yes! Use the code EARLYBIRD2023 to get $100 off your registration when you purchase your ticket before June 27th, 2023, at 5:00pm EST. We also offer group rates for 3+ individual tickets. See Pricing above to purchase 3 tickets, or contact us at [email protected] to book more than 3 tickets. We also offer monthly payment plans. See Pricing above.
How long will I have access to the videos?
You will have exclusive access to all of the recorded videos for 6 months after the program ends, and you can re-watch unlimited number of times.
Can I attend if I'm not in the US?
Yes! Most of our eMRP alumni come from around the world. We know that your timezone might not be ideal for you, which is why we offer exclusive recorded video access for 6 months after the program ends.
Here's a quote from one of our 2018 Alumni from India, "After the MRP, we gained confidence in how our products stand in the market outside India. Since then, we have done two trade shows- in London and In Germany. We now stock at four stores across London and one in Germany with the market gradually opening up to us!"
— Vasanthi Veluri, MRP Alumni 2018, India
Can I attend if I am the US?
Yes! We have some amazing alumni who are based in the US looking for best practices in artisan sourcing, understanding how to start a global artisan brand, or to connect with global artisan partners.
Can I attend if I am just an individual and don't have a business?
Yes! The eMRP is designed to give you a big picture view of the global artisan sector and exactly what it takes to be successful. If you're a student, NGO, international development professional, or just a passionate person interested in getting involved in the global artisan sector, the eMRP will connect you to a network and give you great insight into the tools an artisan business needs to go global.
Just take it from one of our alumni, "The Market Readiness Program is singlehandedly the best program I could have invested in to further my career in the artisan industry. The wealth of knowledge that I gained, the invaluable connections that I met, and the experiences I made are all what has gotten me to where I am today. I will forever be thankful for Aid to Artisans!"
— Madison Pease, MRP Alumni 2018, USA
Can I sell my products at the eMRP?
No. This is a training and networking event, and not a sales opportunity. You WILL however, have a chance to network with other artisan businesses, including artisan producers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers, and US based artisan importers.
Is the homework optional?
Yes. The homework is designed to help you take what you'll learn and apply it to your work, so we strongly encourage you to plan some time each day after the live workshop to work on the exercises.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes! After you attend the eMRP, or once you watch all of the videos (if you are unable to attend some of the live training), you will get an eMarket Readiness Program Certificate of Completion and join our amazing network of Alumni!
Get a Taste of What You Can Learn During the eMRP
On the fence about joining the eMarket Readiness Program? This FREE course will give you a small insight into everything you can learn during the program.
