The 2021 Providence Design Catalyst program is officially in the books after 10 micro-design businesses graduated from the five-month program in August. Run by DESIGNxRI, a nonprofit that seeks to encourage and promote opportunities for designers, design businesses, and the design sector in the Ocean State, the program provides each business with mentorship, business training and up to $15,000 in grant funding.
Since 2015, 60 design and creative businesses have gone through the Providence Design Catalyst program, receiving more than $1 million in direct grants and total investment of $1.3 million.
Let’s meet the first five businesses in the program and learn a little bit about them.
Lucia Pearl
Founded by Lucia Perluck, Lucia Pearl is a “thoughtfully designed and carefully handcrafted” jewelry store that promotes gender fluidity and inclusivity. The store works with local vendors to source materials that are sustainable and recycled whenever possible. Perluck says the Providence Design Catalyst program helped her start taking email marketing more seriously. She also said it helped her develop her company's mission more clearly and communicate it in a more authentic way. During her five months with the program, Perluck also purchased inventory, hired contractors, and tried social media marketing. In 2021, she designed roughly 60 handcrafted pieces.
“I became a lot more comfortable with spending money on my business. That was very valuable to me,” Perluck said about her time with the Providence Design Catalyst program. “I am generally pretty conservative with money, so it was a good experience to have to be able to spend money on things I normally would be afraid to try. I learned a lot from the results that came out of my spending, but also more generally, I'm feeling less scared about investing in my company than before.”
A year from now, Perluck hopes to hire someone full time and run a more stable business.
Sashoonya
Aleksandra (Sasha) Azbel launched Sashoonya, an organically-dyed and eco-printed textile company, with the goal of bringing back past industry traditions in a way that is sensitive, regenerative, and reflective of modern ecosystems and sensibilities. During the program, Azbel acquired raw material to prototype a new product line and supplies to grow her own raw material. She also said she became more organized about keeping her business expenditures separate from his personal expenses and focused more on budgeting, pricing and accounting practices.
“The grant gave me the financial support and community support necessary to extend my product, brand, and confidence as an entrepreneur,” Azbel said. “For example, in the time I started the program I was pushed to redevelop my logo, create packaging, and figure out product pricing. I now have a strategy for taking my product to the market... Working with DesignxRI staff, educators, and cohort, I have been able to sharpen my vision and mission, which streamlines my marketing and keeps me focused on long-term growth goals. Having my voice and ideas shared and supported is empowering.”
Over the next year, Azbel’s goal is to meet her revenue goals, get closer to self-sufficiency, develop a new product line and hire employees.
AK Studios Design
AK Studios Design is a product design company that seeks to responsibly turn great ideas into reality. What sets the business apart, according to Founders Griffin Kirby and Corwin Ackerman, is the company’s ability to put communication and transparency above all else. During Providence Design Catalyst, AK Studios started to build out its business development leads and think about how to optimize its marketing strategy. The company also acquired new space, developed a product line, extended its brand, purchased new equipment, and hired contract workers.
“When we first started this grant there were many things we wanted to take on but didn't have the guidance or immediate funds,” said Kirby and Ackerman. “This grant enabled us to purchase equipment and ... get numerous jobs that grew our company faster than we had planned.”
Over the next year, AK Studios hopes to expand its offices, create a sound culture for employees, establish an AK Studios e-commerce store, and launch another kickstarter.
Luna Loggia
Luna Loggia is an online curator and e-commerce platform that seeks to help designers sell their products and reach customers easier than ever. Founders Tracy and Angel Jonsson Laboy say their platform is unique because the products selected are based on design value and cultural significance, with the intention to frame inventory into a wider societal context. The Luna Loggia sales strategy utilizes cutting-edge technological tools to reach customers, while offering content diversity that focuses on driving engagement and creating a community that leads to sales. During the program, Luna Loggia extended a product line, grew its brand, and created a business plan, marketing plan, and built a website.
“At the end of the program, we had bespoke and implementable plans that will be useful when we seek business loans, grow our reach, and hit expected business hurdles,” the Laboys said. “Many businesses go years without a business plan, waiting until they're in need of a loan to write one. We're equipped with a plan that we can implement when we're ready for growth as well as when we're in need of support.”
In 2022, the Laboys' plan to have a great year of revenue under their belt, as well as a roster of collaborative partners and featured makers on the site. The team is also seeking to grow its brand nationally.
James Jones Studio // Photography RI
At Photography RI, James Jones and his team are “visual content history lovers.” Their approach to visual storytelling and background in design and marketing makes the studio unique, offering many of the benefits of working with a larger firm combined with a much smaller, more nimble footprint. During the five-month stint with the Design Catalyst program, Jones said the studio developed a new product line, re-branded, and purchased new equipment. Jones also said the program helped him and the team get a much clearer picture of their financials, as well as a better understanding of how to quantify customer experience.
“Without this grant (and the learning modules) we would not be set up for success this year,” Jones said. “A vast new range of possibilities has opened up to us. We have made connections, acquired necessary tools, and expanded the range of services we can offer.”
Over the next year, Jones expects to grow its new product line to the point where it is a significant contributor to overall revenue.
Enjoy learning about these five design businesses? Come back next week to learn about the five other members of the 2021 Providence Design Catalyst program.
