About Us

Opportunity Starts Here

We Help Creative Founders Thrive

CCE’s business training programs support early-stage entrepreneurs at every step, from exploring an idea to growing a business, while creating a lasting impact for the creative economy.

Our Programs

We offer business training for creative entrepreneurs who are ready launch, accelerate, and grow.

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Our Mentors

Entrepreneurs and industry experts provide personalized guidance and real-world advice.

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Our Sponsors

Our partners fund opportunities and support inclusive economic growth in the creative sector.

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Our Team

Our board and staff lead with innovation, equity, and a commitment to entrepreneurship.

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Get To Know

More About CCE

Our Vision

To be a premier entrepreneurial service organization (ESO), building the creative economy in Winston-Salem, the Triad and North Carolina. CCE is a magnet for creative entrepreneurs, and an engine for developing and commercializing their ideas.

What We Do

CCE provides business training designed to have a meaningful impact on creative businesses and entrepreneurs. Programming includes Velocity, Kinetic, and Pathways for Entrepreneurial Success.

Who We Help

The Center for Creative Economy provides inception-stage business training to help creatives and artists develop viable businesses. Our customized education and mentorship programs fulfill our mission to launch, accelerate, and grow creative businesses.

Economic Development

The work of the Center for Creative Economy is transforming the region’s creative cluster by focusing on programming designed for creatives to engage, connect, and spur innovation.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CCE strives to strengthen the creative economy and the creative community in Winston-Salem, NC and beyond. Since 2016 CCE has helped launch 143 creative startups, 71% of which were founded by women and 63% by minorities. Today, 78% of those companies are still thriving, and 283 jobs have been created.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Creativity is dependent on diversity. At the Center for Creative Economy, we recognize the importance of unique ideas and perspectives. As an Entrepreneurial Support Organization, CCE intentionally serves a diverse demographic of creative entrepreneurs in an inclusive and equitable manner through our programs for early-stage businesses and believes that success is built upon collaboration and inclusion.

CCE is actively addressing the lack of entrepreneurial resources among those who identify as women, and minoritized individuals. Our programs are designed to uplift the voices of creative entrepreneurs of all abilities, disabilities, and experiences. Our programs are inclusive of, but not limited to, all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, religions, and ages. We are committed to upholding an atmosphere of inclusivity throughout our organization.

We help build the creative economy

CCE Provides Programming Designed to Have a Meaningful Impact on Creative Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Companies Still in Businesses

Our Brand Story

An Organization Shaped and Led by Creatives

CCE’s Founder, Margaret Collins, has been a musician all her life. She has played trombone in wind ensemble, jazz bands and orchestra. Her journey into the world of assisting creatives began when she started managing and booking world-class musicians at ICM Artists, an international talent agency based in New York City. It was during this time that she noticed a lack of business knowledge among clients, particularly in areas such as contracts, negotiation, marketing, and public relations.

Motivated to bridge this gap and provide support for creatives and artists, Margaret envisioned a platform that would empower them to navigate the complexities of running a business and building a brand. This vision gave birth to the Center for Creative Economy (CCE), an organization that represents the essence of our cultural fabric. CCE stands for the artists, designers, and innovators who push the boundaries of their craft to create beautiful products, services, and art that enrich our daily lives.

Through CCE, creatives can align themselves with a leading organization that offers skill development, resource discovery, and mentorship connections. Our ultimate goal is to assist more creatives in launching successful businesses and equipping creatives with the necessary skills to thrive.

Verticals

Our Creative Focus

We are often asked about the creative businesses we serve. Our programs are targeted toward five creative industry sectors that encompass a variety of industries within the creative economy. We invite all those who consider themselves and their businesses to be a part of the creative community to engage with CCE’s events and programs.

1430

Startups
launched

710

women
founded

630

minority
founded

780

still
thriving

Creative Journeys Start from The Center

We Help Launch, Accelerate, and Grow Local Creative Entrepreneurs, Businesses, and Leaders

Our Creative Economy

We Accelerate Growth

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Create Opportunities

Our Creative Economy

How We Accelerate Growth

Unlock your creative potential with our programs designed for artists, entrepreneurs, and makers. Whether you’re looking to validate your idea, launch your startup, or scale your business, our accelerator programs – Velocity, Kinetic, and Pathways for Entrepreneurial Success – provide the support, guidance, and resources you need to reach your goals. Join our community of passionate and driven creatives today!