MEET OUR SPEAKERS

DAY ONE: WHY I CREATE

  • Founder, Immortal Visions Studio

    Iconic photographer CJ Wolfe has picked up a camera 6 years ago which changed his life. Growing up in Philadelphia CJ quickly created a lane of his own and disrupted the creative scene. Graduating from college in 2019 as a student athlete CJ worked as a corporate financial advisor. CJ walked away from a financial career in less than 24 months and created one of the best creative communities and photography studio's, Philadelphia has ever seen.

    CJ Wolfe has been impacting sports, athletes' and artist lifestyles through his creativity behind the scenes and most importanlty behind the camera. CJ found his passion for photography and videography in 2018 and has been a trailblazer ever since. CJ has produced work for Revolt TV, Footlocker, Ethika, Pure Fuel, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, Allen Iverson, Will Parks, and John Wall to name a few.

    Throughout his journey as a photographer, CJ Wolfe identified a notable gap within Philadelphia —a deficiency in safe and conducive spaces for photographers to refine their craft, showcase their talents, and establish professional networks. As a response, Immortal Vision Studio was established in 2020. Since its establishment, the boutique studio has evolved into a cornerstone of Philadelphia's creative community, averaging more than 800 appointments per year. Becoming the trusted rental powerhouse for photo/video in its 2,000 SQ FT space.

DAY ONE: WHY I CREATE

  • After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in African American Studies, I channeled my passion for community enrichment into a dynamic career in non-profits, research, and social entrepreneurship. My expertise spans public health, education, the arts, and workforce development, creating impactful programs that address systemic challenges.

    At Immortal Vision Studio and the CJ Wolfe Foundation, I champion the arts and photography as tools to combat gun violence, poverty, and addiction in Kensington, Philadelphia. By fostering strategic partnerships, advancing creative workforce development opportunities, and leveraging innovative data applications, I aim to build a thriving, resilient community while empowering young people across the nation through the arts and photography.

DAY ONE: FINDING YOUR CUSTOMER

  • Dennis is a well-versed marketing pro that oversees En Route’s strategic development and account services activity by driving strategy, account planning and overall partnership performance to maximize success for our clients. After spending over a decade working in the Philadelphia sports marketing scene with organizations such as the Atlantic 10 Conference, Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Union, Dennis spent several years in strategy and account leadership roles with Brand.com, 160over90 and Aloysius Butler & Clark. A born and raised Philadelphian, Dennis’ has excelled in working with national and international brands as well as a wide variety of Philadelphia regional organizations across many industries. Outside his work, he is an avid sports enthusiast, big-time hiker, and loves spending quality time with his family.

DAY ONE: BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS MODEL

  • Lenin is a high-performance motivator with experience in small business growth, government administration, and community and economic development.
    As Director of Widener University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), he oversees 3 technical assistance programs: Apex Accelerator, funded by the United States Department of Defense; the Small Business Environmental Management Assistance Program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Small Business Development Center program, funded by the United States Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
    Lenin also serves as a board director for Tompkins Community Bank; Finanta (formerly Community First Fund); and as a board trustee for the Wyomissing Foundation.

DAY ONE: SELLING AT TRADE SHOWS, JURIED SHOWS, AND CRAFT FAIRS

  • American artist, Stacey Lee Webber was born in Indianapolis Indiana in 1982. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ball State University in 2005. Webber went on to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she was awarded a full time artist assistantship all three years of her degree program under her major professor, Lisa Gralnick. After earning a Master of Fine Arts in 2008 she went on to become an artist in residence at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago in 2009. In 2011 Webber moved to Philadelphia to pursue her dream of being a full time artist. After four bustling years of teaching at Tyler School of Art, University of the Arts and Rowan University while working as a production jeweler for a local jewelry company in Philadelphia, she made her dream come to fruition in 2015. Webber is currently working and living on the northeast side of Philadelphia where she has made a career of making and selling artwork and jewelry.

DAY ONE: SELLING AT TRADE SHOWS, JURIED SHOWS, AND CRAFT FAIRS

  • Katie has 20 years of experience in diverse creative business and non-profit leadership roles. As the American Craft Council’s Director of Programs and Events, Katie leads ACC’s American Craft Made Baltimore, its flagship event, now in its 48th year. ACM Baltimore is the East Coast’s largest juried craft fair, including 380+ exhibitors, hands-on activities, and over 10,000 visitors. Katie also leads ACC’s American Craft Fest in St.Paul and editorially-driven events throughout the year.

DAY TWO: BUILDING BOLDLY

  • Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is an award-winning social entrepreneur and thought leader working at the intersections of social justice & environmentalism. Her work has been featured by Fast Company, Inc Magazine, Essence, and has been funded by Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation. In 2022 she was a recipient of the Visa’s “She’s Next in Fashion Award” and the Black Enterprise “Business Disruptor of the Year” award. In 2023 & 2024 she was named “150 Most Influential Philadelphians” by Philadelphia Magazine. Within the fashion industry, she serves as an inspiration for aspiring creative entrepreneurs who seek to align their visions with social and environmental consciousness. Her superpower? Inspiring diverse audiences to optimism and agency.

DAY TWO: THE BENEFIT OF BENEFITS

  • Brittni Sennett, MBA (she/her) is a financial planner dedicated to empowering individuals - especially creatives and entrepreneurs - to build financial confidence and use money as a tool for a fulfilling life. With expertise in investment management, tax planning, and business strategy, Brittni takes a values-based approach to financial planning, helping her clients align their finances with their dreams. As the founder of FEMWELL SPEAKS, she is passionate about financial education, community-building, and making wealth accessible to all.

DAY TWO: E-COMMERCE & STORYTELLING SELLING (FOR HUMANS)

  • Martin Guerrero is a member of the Global Policy Partnerships and Community Impact team at Block, focusing on providing educational workshops with technical assistance providers across the globe. Block, Inc is a global technology company with a focus on financial services. Made up of Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL, and TBD, we build tools to help more people access the economy.

    As an e-commerce specialist with over 15 years in the website and domain name industry he has been helping Square sellers broaden their customer base by providing both onsite and online educational programs centered around the Square ecosystem. Martin also heads up cross-functional projects supporting Spanish-speaking and Indigenous small businesses and other community and third party partners around the globe.

DAY TWO: E-COMMERCE & STORYTELLING SELLING (FOR HUMANS)

  • G + RIZZ started like all the best things do—with a quick scribble and a dream. Two Philly kids turned creatives, G + RIZZ, collaborate to craft paper goods, art decor, and edgy apparel that hit that sweet spot between familiar and unexpected. Everything they make is pulled straight from the human experience— their love of Philly, unfiltered conversations, shared moments, and the beautifully chaotic mess of life we all navigate.

    Art for humans, made by humans, built to connect. 👽

    Follow them on all platforms @gandrizz

DAY TWO: MAKER TO MANUFACTURER

  • After a decade working as an Industrial Designer in the consumer products and housewares industry, Mason founded Friday in 2023 with a simple mission: to build high-quality and useful furniture that makes people’s lives better. Friday's first product was the Clamshell, a wall-mounted folding desk designed specifically for working from home.

DAY TWO: THE A TO Z ON HIRING

  • With a proven track record in human resources, I have dedicated the past decade to shaping dynamic and people-centric workplaces. My journey began with a focus on talent acquisition, where I honed my skills in
    identifying and attracting top-tier talent to drive organizational success. Transitioning to HR leadership, I've led comprehensive initiatives in employee engagement, fostering a positive workplace culture that
    enhances productivity and employee satisfaction.

    In my current role as HR Director, I've successfully implemented strategic HR programs, contributing to the growth and development of both individuals and the organization as a whole. Looking ahead, my aspirations center on advancing innovative HR solutions that align with evolving business needs. I am committed to furthering my impact by driving initiatives in leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and leveraging technology to optimize HR processes. Passionate about creating workplaces that thrive, I am eager to contribute my expertise to organizations aiming to elevate their human capital strategies in the future.

DAY ONE: FINANCIAL
PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE


  • Founder

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

DAY THREE: GETTING INTO GALLERIES WORKSHOP

  • Rachel Zimmerman, the Founding Artistic and Executive Director of InLiquid, has spent over two decades transforming Philadelphia’s visual arts landscape through innovative curation and arts management. Under her leadership, InLiquid has become a leading force in the regional arts scene, supporting the careers and creative practices of over 300 working artists each year and producing over 40 public exhibitions annually. 

    As a photographer, Zimmerman’s work is held in a number of private collections in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco and permanent collections, including the George Eastman House Museum in Rochester, NY, Temple University in Philadelphia, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has exhibited at the Delaware Valley Community College, LG Tripp Gallery, OCJAC, the Open Lens Gallery at the Gershman Y, Main Line Art Center, The Community Arts Center in Wallingford, the Speer Gallery at the Shipley School, the Temple Judea Museum in Jenkintown, Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, and the Anita Shaplosky in NY.

DAY THREE: FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE WORKSHOP

  • Kersy Azocar is the President and CEO of Greenline Access Capital, a mission-driven nonprofit financial institution that works to address the continued and persistent gap in access to capital for financially underserved people by providing customized lending products and services. Greenline has helped over 80 clients connect with $8Million in Grants and Loans, including 50 Loans from Greenline’s funds.
    Prior to joining Greenline, Kersy worked for 13 years at a Philadelphia-based Community Financial Development Institution (CDFI) where she managed a microlending department with a national scope leading the organization to become the #1 SBA microlender in the region and top 10 in the nation. In 2021, Kersy was the Project Manager of the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), a $17Million dollar Grant program created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to support businesses in the hospitality industry. The program was managed by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC).
    Originally from the Dominican Republic, Kersy prides herself on being able to address the needs of emerging and existing entrepreneurs providing a hands-on approach rarely encountered in the industry. She is nationally recognized, and able to leverage her expertise in the microlending and financial industries.

DAY THREE: FREE MONEY: GRANT WRITING BASICS WORKSHOP

  • CultureWorks promotes a more inclusive and sustainable cultural sector by offering affordable coworking space, fiscal sponsorship, and professional development resources.

    Our mission is rooted in the belief that creativity and culture are vital components of a thriving community. We aim to provide accessible and shared resources that support diverse voices and innovative projects, helping cultural leaders and organizations make a lasting impact.

DAY THREE: FREE MONEY: GRANT WRITING BASICS WORKSHOP

  • Stephanie serves as the Director of Grantmaking at the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, where she ensures that the various grant opportunities operate smoothly. Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in philanthropy and the public sector, having served as a Program Officer, a Senior Learning & Evaluation Officer, and more recently as a consultant, where she worked with foundations, nonprofits and consulting firms to help them learn from their experiences, make strategic and informed decisions, and implement changes as a result. Stephanie has a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she has a small business refinishing vintage furniture and salvaging architectural treasures.

DAY THREE: KIM SOLVES YOUR MARKETING CHALLENGES WORKSHOP

  • I help creatives do business.

DAY THREE: FROM STUDIO TO SHELF: GET INTO RETAIL STORES WORKSHOP

  • Perri Salka is the enthusiastic Owner and Curator of The WonderMart, a community-driven gift shop that exclusively stocks products that are made or designed by indie brands and makers that reside across her home state of New York. She's been in business since 2019, proudly sharing in success with 300+ local makers along the way. In addition to running her shop, Perri recently launched Wonder Makers Consulting, naturally expanding upon her passions and expertise to provide actionable advice and creative consulting to independent brand owners looking to take the guess work out of running their small business and make the necessary changes needed for growth.

DAY THREE: LLC: EASY AS 1, 2, 3! WORKSHOP

  •  PVLA empowers underserved artists and arts organizations in the Philadelphia region by providing access to free legal services, knowledge, and resources.

DAY THREE: TAXES FOR CREATIVES WORKSHOP

  • Akeem is a Barrymore Award-winning actor and former non-profit administrator with the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, a death penalty sentencing resource center. Alongside theater, he has always held a passion for numbers and financial accounting, which led to tax preparation in 2019. He is profoundly inspired by the opportunity to be an advocate for other artists through nuanced and effective tax preparation and education. Akeem is a man of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a proud alumnus of Norland Middle School of Miami, Florida.

DAY THREE: SALES FOR INTROVERTS WORKSHOP

DAY THREE: SALES FOR INTROVERTS WORKSHOP