.webp)
From February to September 2020, 20 artisanal businesses from the northern Rio de Janeiro region will join the tenth cohort of the Rede Asta School of Business for Artisans, the second in the region. Developed in partnership with Chevron Brasil, the project covers the municipality of São João da Barra/RJ and surrounding areas, aiming to train entrepreneurs with a forward-thinking vision, management skills, and access to tools that facilitate and boost their businesses.
There will be two study groups with about 20 students each. At the beginning of the project, these women will individually receive a diagnostic assessment to identify the biggest gaps and challenges in their ventures. Next, they will collectively build a learning path consisting of eight modules to be covered by the study group.
“We are thrilled every time we start a new cohort at the School of Business for Artisans. It is so rewarding to see the results throughout this process. Looking back and seeing how it all began, it’s amazing to see such a strong and powerful project take shape,” says Angélica Oliveira, coordinator of the School of Business for Artisans.
The artisans and seamstresses will also have the opportunity to develop new pieces and/or improve existing ones with the guidance of a product designer who will provide consulting services during certain periods of the project. The idea is for the collections to strengthen local culture. In addition to this design consulting, they will have a market module where they will devise sales strategies and map out potential clients. Finally, they will join the Entrepreneurs' Circle, which fosters connections and exchanges for everyone's growth. In this final stage, they will develop leadership skills to boost the craft sector in the Northern Fluminense region.
In September, we will conclude the project with a graduation ceremony, where everyone who completes the program will receive a certificate of completion and reports detailing the progress they made during the School of Business for Artisans.
There are a few prerequisites for participating in this cohort of the School of Business for Artisans. Before registering, it is important for the entrepreneur to ensure they meet the following criteria:
· Be a resident of or work in the craft sector in the municipality of São João da Barra and surrounding areas (Grussaí, Atafona, Cajueiro, Pipeiras, Barcelos, Açu) in the north of the state of Rio de Janeiro;
· Own a handmade artisanal business (sewing and/or various craft techniques);
· Be available to participate in activities on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (morning OR afternoon, to be confirmed), lasting 4 hours per week, for about 8 months (February to September 2020);
· Have an interest in developing a collection, in partnership with a designer, adapted for wholesale to local retailers and buyers;
· Have a smartphone and/or computer capable of accessing the internet via WiFi or 4G.
Those who meet the profile should register at this link by 01/26/2020. The selection results will be announced on the Asta Blog (www.redeasta.com.br/blog) and on Rede Asta's social media on January 29, 2020, until 5:00 PM.
In 2016, the Artisan Business School project traveled to the cities of Campos, Macaé, Nova Friburgo, Barra do Piraí, and Rio de Janeiro to train its third class. A group of 20 artisanal production businesses learned how to boost their performance through networking. Learn more about the project here.