This program operates with support from Sync Space! We will cover a variety of topics to give you the tools to promote yourself and your work. Learn while you enjoy some food and drink, and meet other entrepreneurs!

Our goal is to offer affordable programming** for local entrepreneurs, including makers and artists who are selling and promoting their work, to help them grow their business and skill set. We hope to see you there!

**Sessions are $5/person, with scholarships available upon request. Please email theinventorcenter@gmail.com or call (423)765-0900 to ask about scholarships

**A big thank you to Sync Space for funding this series!**

See all of the seminars here!

Meet the Instructors:

Samantha Culbertson at Push the Pixels works hand-in-hand with creative teams and individuals to guide projects to completion. As an award-winning creative and 40 Under 40 recipient with a decade of industry experience and a lifetime of daydreaming and doodling, she uses her empathetic nature and acute listening skills to connect on an emotional yet goal-oriented level, and craft designs that do the same.

Samantha has worked with clients ranging from local start-ups to international companies and has loved every minute of it. Whether it be through logos, landing pages, social graphics, flyers, or something totally new, she enjoys partnering with her clients to achieve something great.

John Phipps started with The Inventor Center in 2019, serving as Director from 2020 through May 2022. His experience with IT systems, electrical engineering, subsea robotics, and an extensive portfolio of successful projects have prepared him to be a strong advisor for project management and execution.

As Resource Specialist at The Inventor Center, John mentors entrepreneurs and small businesses with designing and prototyping for process manufacturing. He also connects them with facilities in the area with the ability to produce their designs. John facilitates all maintenance and repairs on advanced machinery and computer-controlled systems, teaches members how to use advanced machinery, and encourages people to incorporate new mediums or techniques in their work.

Courtney DeYoung is a full-time studio artist living in a little cabin deep in the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. She has spent the past ten years traveling the country participating in more than two hundred arts and crafts shows promoting her jewelry collection, Cavatica Designs. Long before participating in art shows, she earned her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Designs.

In 2007 Courtney created Open Door Art Studio and Gallery, a non-profit arts organization providing art services and art education to artists with developmental differences. She looks forward to sharing her experiences through workshops and art classes.

Tiffany Sapp is the minister and chief of staff at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Before her life path led to ministry, she worked in Marketing and moved on to manage several successful small businesses. Rev. Tiffany loves to listen and loves to communicate, a common thread that has been woven into all of her pursuits. She lives in Johnson City, TN with her husband Jayon, child Leo, dog Blu, and snake Danu.

Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez, MBA, founded Beyond Engagement – Social Media Solutions in January 2012 and hasn’t slowed down since. She has a passion for assisting small businesses grow their engagement levels with customers online with social media marketing.

Joe McKenna is the founder of Cloud Wise Academy, a platform dedicated to sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in digital marketing with local companies. With over 12 years of experience and more than 26,000 hours spent mastering the art of marketing, Joe has developed the Smart Marketing 1-2-3 Strategy and Roadmap to help businesses regain control of their marketing efforts. Joe's mission is to empower entrepreneurs and shop owners to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes in their marketing strategies. Through Cloud Wise Academy, Joe offers low-cost accelerated marketing workshops, coaching apps, and easy-to-use website builders to help businesses succeed in the digital age.