As part of this year's development programme, members of the IW Creative Network running (or intending to set up) a creative business, are invited to apply for the following special opportunity:
Are you a creative who’s already taken the leap to register your business - or right on the edge of doing it?
This 5-month mentoring offer is for you! We’re inviting three Isle of Wight-based creatives or small creative organisations to receive three 121 sessions with experienced mentor Mick Smith, designed to help you shape and strengthen your creative business.
This isn’t dry business talk - it’s real, thoughtful guidance shaped around your goals, values and pace of working.
Mick Smith has a long history of providing creative business mentoring including for Creative Growth Southampton, IW Creative Network, and Solent LEP. He has also been a core team member of the ‘Flying Start’ Programme (providing entrepreneurship and business support to graduate creative businesses across the UK).
Mick also has held a portfolio of management and organisational development roles, including at Director level both for Bridport Art Centre and Quay Arts. Other achievements include managing the delivery of a creative industries business incubation space at Arts University Bournemouth, providing bespoke organisational development support on behalf of the Creative Industries Development Agency in Tower Hamlets, and supporting the significant growth and development of ‘a space’ arts in Southampton for 15 years (including 9 years as Chair of Trustees).
In addition, Mick has a lifelong creative practice of his own as an accomplished musician, playing piano and guitar to a high standard. His long and varied track record in professional performance and composition includes live performances in 27 countries (including broadcast TV in 4 of these) recording and composing for commercial release and touring with various artists/bands along with writing for film (premiered at Cannes) and theatre.
What others from the IW Creative Network have said about Mick:
“I came away feeling that I had a firm foundation to continue forward.”
“Mick helped steer me into the right research and resources and helped me formulate a clear plan of how to achieve my goals and weigh up the best options for me.”
“Mick had a really broad base of experience to draw on so was able to provide advice on many different areas.”
So whether you’re running a limited company, CIC, or other formal structure - or if you intend to register and make that step - this support is here to help you build clarity, confidence, and direction.
What's on offer:
- 3 x 2hr tailored sessions
- First session in person on Friday 12th September at Building 41 (Cowes) or by arrangement online.
- Further two sessions to delivered online, to be taken between Sept 2025-Jan 2026.
Gain support with challenges like:
- Working out your business model
- Planning for funding or income generation
- Clarifying your offer and who it’s for
- Balancing the creative work with practicaldelivery
- Managing time, money & sustainability.
Who it’s for:
- In order to apply, you will need to be a member of the IW Creative Network
- You might be a creative running a registered business (Ltd, CIC, etc.)
- Or intending to register as a business and need support to structure your ideas.
How to apply:Complete a short application form (link below) about your business, where you’re at, and what you hope to gain from the sessions.
Questions?Email Georgia at: georgia@creativeisland.org
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday 4th August, 11.59pm
CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
All applicants will be contacted shortly after the deadline to inform them whether or not they have been successful.
If you have any questions or require support filling out the online application form please email georgia@creativeisland.org
