In partnership with the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Napa Makes initiative has been working on a custom-made curriculum designed to help local artisan makers get to the next level with their business. This program grew out of the experience of meeting so many local makers who were facing the same kinds of challenges: how to scale their business, how to market their products, how to find affordable workspace, etc.

We intend to formally launch the Makers Accelerator program in 2025, but before seeking funding, we gathered a group of local makers at Guild to review the curriculum. Attendees were asked to share what they made, a recent win, and a recent challenge; were brought up to speed on the Napa Makes initiative and how an accelerator program works; and were then asked to review and provide feedback on the curriculum as designed.

In addition, Carrie Saxl of Guild shared her story about how she was able to scale her jewelry business in a way that allowed her to pivot and continue to be creative, and Michael Cuffe (most recently of Visit Napa Valley) gave a quick overview of social media best practices that attendees could start using today.

Watch for the official launch of the Napa Makes Makers Accelerator program in 2025! For more information on the project, email [email protected].