This autumn, we’re excited to be collaborating with Go For Growth to deliver a series of in-person workshops at Building 41, Cowes.
These sessions are designed with creatives in mind – whether you’re a visual artist, performer, maker, musician, designer, or freelance creative looking to grow into a more sustainable business. Expect hands-on training, practical tools, and takeaways you can put into action straight away.
Good news for IW Creative Network members – the Thursday sessions are completely free (12 spaces available, first-come-first-served). All other sessions are just £2.50 each, open to both members and non-members.
CLICK HERE to find out more on any of the sessions & book your place!
The Sessions:
Digital Marketing Strategy: Thursday 25th September, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Effie Moss – Marketing Strategist & Business Growth Mentor
Take the guesswork out of marketing. Learn how to define your audience, choose the right channels, and build a simple 90-day digital marketing plan that attracts the right customers. Perfect for creatives who feel lost in the noise of digital platforms and want a clear, structured plan.
AI Tools for Small Business Owners: Thursday 2nd October, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Gareth Kemp
Explore practical AI tools that can save time, boost creativity, and help you work smarter in your business.
Ideal if you’re curious about AI but unsure where to start, and want to see how it can make your creative practice more efficient.
Social Media & Content Planning: Thursday 9th October, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Zoe Stroud
Cut through the noise and create a clear social media strategy. Learn how to plan content, pick platforms that matter, and grow an engaged audience. Designed for artists, makers, and performers struggling to keep up with constant posting while trying to stay creative.
Pricing & Sales Strategies: Thursday 16th October, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Tash Rebuck
Set the right prices with confidence. Covers pricing models, negotiation tips, sales planning, and overcoming self-doubt. Great for creatives who undercharge or find sales conversations difficult.
Customer Value Proposition & Journey Mapping: Wednesday 5th November, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Ross Findon – Strategic Communications Consultant
Understand what your customers really value, create a strong proposition, and design journeys that meet their needs and your goals. Useful for creatives who want to connect better with their audiences, clients, or buyers.
Online Visibility & SEO in an AI World: Wednesday 12th November, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Ross Findon – Strategic Communications Consultant
Discover how AI is reshaping online visibility. Learn tools, trends, and practical steps to stay competitive in search and social. Essential for creatives looking to be found online in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.
Business Finance Fundamentals: Wednesday 19th November, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Sally Casterton – Finance Consultant, Coach & Mentor
Gain control of your finances. Learn to manage cashflow, set realistic goals, calculate break-even points, and make decisions with confidence. Perfect for freelancers and small creative businesses who want to feel more in control of their money.
Building a Sales Funnel & Closing Deals: Wednesday 26th November, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Tash Rebuck
From outreach and pitching to follow-ups and conversions – discover strategies to fill your pipeline and close more deals. Ideal for creatives who have interest in their work but struggle to turn it into paying clients or bookings.
Automation & Productivity Tools for Small Business: Wednesday 3rd December, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Gemma Pybus – Digital Groundwork Ltd / UWL
Streamline your business with automation. Explore AI and digital tools, smart integrations, and design your own 90-day productivity plan. Helpful for busy creatives juggling multiple projects who need more time for actual creative work.
Your Business Plan on a Page: Wednesday 10th December, 1–3.30pm
Facilitator: Gavin McWhirter – Small Business Advisor & Founder of Digital Islands
Learn to map your business strategy on a single page using the Business Model Canvas. Define your value, customers, and goals, and leave with a clear growth roadmap. Great for creatives who want a simple but effective way to plan their next steps without drowning in detail.
CLICK HERE to find out more on any of the sessions & book your place!
Venue address: Building 41, Newport Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8BX
Building 41 is a modern, fully accessible venue with excellent transport links with a bus stop located just outside on Newport Road, between Ascensos and BAE Systems, just outside of Cowes in Northwood.
Parking & transport: Parking is limited to residents of Building 41 with limited parking bays available. We recommend parking at Somerton Park & Ride (Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 7ER) which is a 5 minute walk away, at Ј2 per day. We also suggest car sharing where possible – which you can arrange through posting a notice on the IW Creative Network Facebook Forum to other members of the network.
Venue accessibility: The venue offers dedicated parking for those with health conditions or impairments, a disabled lift, wide doorways, and accessible toilets. Please email any access requirements to georgia@iwcreativenetwork.com
About IWCN & Go For Growth:
IW Creative Network is delivered through Creative Island – the cultural development agency for the Isle of Wight. We help Creatives on the Isle of Wight develop sustainable careers in the creative industries through business support, networking, resources and profiling. A bespoke talent development programme is available for individuals and organisations joining the network, which aims nurture and inspire, allowing Creatives to thrive and become more sustainable. Explore more and join the network here and follow us here: Instagram & Facebook.
Go For Growth is a programme to support micro businesses and small businesses thrive through online, in-person, 121 programmes and mentoring, based at Building 41 in Northwood, delivered by Innovation Wight. The ‘Go for Growth’ programme is designed to empower Island entrepreneurs and independent business owners to excel through the provision of business advice, expertise and training.
Innovation Wight is a comprehensive programme aimed at improving the productivity of the Island’s businesses. Launched in 2023, the ‘hub’ of the programme is the Northwood-based Building 41, a modern, sustainable building which offers shared workspaces and flexible office suites, as well as acting as a focus for a range of business support activities.
