Del Carmen Workshops | Application Preview
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 93-4597662
Location: West Harford, CT, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
-
Funding Usage
**1. Marketing Strategy (80%):** The lion's share of the grant, 80%, will be directed towards marketing media dollars, specifically financing advertisements on social media and search engines. In line with meticulous research, our focus is on two distinct target audiences: Photography Deep Divers and Free Spirits. These individuals, typically aged 25-45 and employed in creative and media industries, seek enriching experiences to hone their craft. **- Social Media and Search Ads:**** Leveraging the grant funds, we will conduct targeted advertising campaigns on social media platforms, particularly Meta, and search engines. These channels have proven to be primary avenues for our target audiences to discover new brands and services. **- A/B Testing on Meta:**** The grant will facilitate A/B testing on Meta, enabling us to optimize our advertising strategy. This approach ensures that conversion ads are delivered to the audience most likely to be interested in our workshops, maximizing the efficiency of our marketing spend. **- Display Ads on Search Engines:**** A portion of the grant will be allocated to place display ads on search engines, further expanding our reach and visibility to individuals actively searching for enriching experiences in our niche. **- SEO-Enhancing Blog Articles:**** We recognize the importance of organic visibility. A portion of the grant will be invested in creating compelling blog articles that not only contribute to search engine optimization (SEO) but also enhance our website's overall performance. **2. Instructor Compensation (20%):** The remaining 20% of the grant will be allocated to compensating our esteemed instructors. To secure their commitment and lock in workshop dates, instructors will receive a signing fee. This fee structure entails an initial payment of 25% upon signing the Statement of Work (SOW), with the remaining 75% disbursed once workshops are sold to capacity (up to 10 participants). **- Workshop Sales and Advertising:**** To achieve full workshop capacity, we will utilize the comprehensive marketing strategy outlined earlier, encompassing social media and search advertising. This approach ensures that our instructors are duly compensated for their expertise and dedication.
-
Business Plan
I appreciate the opportunity to outline our strategic growth plan for Del Carmen Workshops over the next five years. Our vision encompasses not only expanding our footprint in the field of photography workshops, leveraging my recent completion of a Masters in Photography, but also venturing into diverse passion points to create immersive and enriching experiences for our participants. Photography Workshops - Initial Focus: Our immediate focus remains on photography workshops, capitalizing on my expertise and recent academic achievements. We are committed to delivering high-quality educational experiences that empower participants to refine their craft and explore the world through a unique lens. Diversification Strategy: Del Carmen Workshops envisions diversifying its offerings to cater to a broader audience with varying passion points. The expansion plan includes: Gastronomy / Cooking Workshops: We plan to introduce workshops that blend the art of gastronomy with captivating international food destinations. This not only aligns with the growing interest in culinary experiences but also presents an opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in global culinary traditions. Arts and Crafts Workshops: Recognizing the demand for hands-on creative experiences, we aim to introduce arts and crafts workshops. These sessions will foster artistic expression and provide a platform for participants to explore their creativity in diverse mediums. Adventure and Sports Workshops: this is a very high-growing sector (15.2% projected growth from 2022 to 2030). We plan on developing travel workshops focused on surfing and hiking to some of the world's best destinations. Network Expansion: Building a robust network of partners is integral to our growth strategy. We will collaborate with hotels and studios offering commissions, enhancing the overall workshop experience and providing unique opportunities for participants to showcase their talents. Test and Learn Approach: To ensure the success of our expansion, we will adopt a strategic "test and learn" approach. This involves initially offering a select number of workshops across different categories to gauge audience interest. Through careful analysis of workshop performance, we will identify those that resonate most with our audience and strategically double down on these offerings. Subsequently, we will diversify our workshop portfolio based on participant preferences and market trends. Industry Trends and Market Alignment: Recent studies by Grand View Research and Conde Nast Travel affirm our strategic direction. The projected growth of educationally-driven and adventure travel experiences aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing immersive and enriching workshops. Del Carmen Workshops aims to be at the forefront of these developments, adapting and evolving with the market to meet the evolving desires of our audience. Investing in Del Carmen Workshops presents a unique and promising opportunity, driven by a blend of extensive professional experience and a passion for fostering creativity and learning. **Proven Professional Expertise:** With over 15 years of experience in the advertising industry, I have honed my skills in developing strategic campaigns for global brands such as Mastercard, L'Oreal Paris, Heineken, Hennessy, and Coca-Cola. My background encompasses diverse roles in communications planning, brand planning, and digital creative. This extensive professional journey has equipped me with a profound understanding of market forces and consumer behavior, positioning me strategically to navigate the challenges and opportunities in a way that taught me how creativity and risks can positively impact returns on investment. **Strategic Vision for Del Carmen Workshops:** My plan for Del Carmen Workshops leverages this wealth of experience to develop a strong and distinctive brand that stands out in the market. By applying proven strategic methodologies, I intend to create a brand that resonates with our target audience—individuals who share a passion for creative experiences and seek fulfillment through learning and practicing their craft. **Clearly Defined Target Audience:** One of the key strengths of Del Carmen Workshops lies in the meticulous definition of our target audience. Drawing on my experience in consumer understanding, we have identified and clearly defined our audience's characteristics, preferences, and behaviors. This ensures that our marketing efforts are precisely tailored to resonate with and captivate our intended audience. **Artistic Vision Meets Entrepreneurial Practicality:** What sets Del Carmen Workshops apart is the unique convergence of artistic vision and entrepreneurial practicality. In addition to my extensive career in advertising, I recently completed a Master of Photography at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. This dual expertise positions me not only as a seasoned professional but also as an individual deeply immersed in and passionate about the art of photography. My goal is to encourage and empower other creative individuals to lead fulfilling lives by embracing and developing their artistic skills. **Commitment to Excellence:** Del Carmen Workshops embodies a commitment to excellence in both the quality of our educational offerings and the strategic execution of our business vision. The combination of a solid professional foundation, a clear understanding of our audience, and a genuine passion for the craft positions Del Carmen Workshops as a compelling and worthwhile investment opportunity.
-
Self Identified Competition
Airbnb Experiences National Geographic Expeditions Santa Fe Workshops Differentiation in Pricing Spectrum: While our competitors operate at each extreme of the pricing spectrum, Del Carmen Workshops stands out by strategically positioning itself in the midmarket. We recognize that affordable options like Airbnb Experiences may lack the in-depth vision and creativity that our target audience seeks, while luxury offerings from National Geographic Expeditions and potentially prohibitive costs associated with Santa Fe Workshops can limit accessibility for many. Affordability with Depth in Creativity: Del Carmen Workshops strikes a balance by providing affordability without compromising on the depth of creative exploration. We understand that our audience, primarily individuals aged 25-45 working in creative and media industries, seeks more than just a basic experience. Our midmarket solution ensures accessibility for a wider demographic while delivering the substantive and enriching experiences that our participants desire.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
