“Engaging and real.” – “Info I can use immediately.” – “Relatable and genuine.” – “Very informative for business owners at every level.”

Those are just a few comments from last year’s inaugural START HERE Academy (SHA) in Charlotte, North Carolina. This year, SHA moves to Indianapolis on June 14 as part of GRAPHICS PRO EXPO (GPX).

START HERE Academy provides valuable start-up resources, business and marketing tips, and a look into production methods for apparel decoration, personalization, signage, wide-format printing, and more. This conference is perfect for those who are just starting out or want to take their business to the next level, providing the opportunity to exchange ideas, explore new products, share challenges, and hear from industry influencers and professionals regarding today’s graphics market.

START HERE Academy takes place the evening before GRAPHICS PRO EXPO opens on June 14, 4-8 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center (doors open at 3 p.m.).

To attend START HERE Academy all you have to do is register for GPX Indianapolis for FREE and select START HERE Academy as one of your classes. Registration is free and provides access to the exhibit hall both days, Training in the Classroom, a chance to win $500 in Buyer Bucks each day, networking events, and more.

Registration Closed

We’ve assembled a team of top industry experts and influencers to provide education, inspiration and guidance…

  • Emcee: Aaron Montgomery

    Our Success Group

    Aaron has over 25 years of experience with personalized products and small business development. Aaron is the creator of the 5 Keys of Business Success, an online training module program that gives small business owners the tools to build their business on a strong foundation. Aaron provides success principles workshops and mastermind groups with his wife Kylene, who is also a certified Success Principles Trainer. Aaron is a columnist for GRAPHICS PRO.

    Aaron’s Presentation at SHA: Planting the Seeds of Success: Achieving Your Goals with Clarity and Confidence.

    When starting a business don’t get stuck in the trap of chasing quick fixes and magic bullet solutions. It’s time to focus on the FUNdamentals and lay a strong foundation for lasting success. Join Aaron Montgomery of Our Success Group as he guides you through the key elements of clarifying your purpose and developing a solid business plan. Discover how to create a business you love, rather than just a job with longer hours and lower pay. This presentation is just the beginning, as you’ll gain valuable insights and tools to continue growing and nurturing your business as part of the START HERE Academy.

    Follow Aaron at…
    oursuccessgroup.com
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Instagram

     

  • Angel Broadnax

    Influencer: Angel Broadnax

    Angel B. Designs

    Angel B. began her entrepreneurship journey in 2019. Eight months later, the global pandemic forced her to pivot her business to keep the doors open. That’s when Angel B. Designs social media presence was created. Angel B. has over 60,000 subscribers on YouTube, 25,000 followers on TikTok, 2,000 Etsy sales and over 5 million views across six platforms in just four years of business and has made it her mission to help other makers and craft professionals learn how to use social media to gain exposure and boost sales.

    Angel B.’s Presentation at SHA: Build Your Brand: How to Make Sales and Influence People

    Angelica Broadnax, aka, Angel B. Designs, guides you through the web of social media, video, and online sales platforms, how they work for her, how she connects them to drive more sales, and how she maintains sanity through it all, including: YouTube, TikTok, Etsy, Shopify, Instagram, and Facebook.

    Follow Angel B. at…
    YouTube
    TikTok
    Instagram
    Etsy

     

  • Graphics Pro: Lori Champagne

    Champagne Engraving

    Creativity feeds the soul. Lori “Lady MacGyver” Champagne lives this adage. She has had many careers from picture framer to Muppet builder, from hotel night auditor to newspaper editor. In 1994 she was looking for a business that was creative, yet with vast business possibilities. She found the awards and engraving industry. Over the next 15 years, her California-based shop, Champagne Recognition, won countless awards, and in 2012, Champagne was featured in a front-page Wall Street Journal article for excellence in creativity. That same year she fell in love, sold her retail shop, and moved to Michigan. Working in multi-media, her dedicated home-based studio is complete with a panoply of machinery and tooling. Champagne is a long-time member of Toastmasters and volunteers for various organizations.

    Lori’s Presentation at SHA: Keeping Peace and Profitability in Your
    Home-Based Business

    More and more, people are starting businesses out of their homes. The trick is carving out your space without carving up your home and your relationships. Lori “Lady MacGyver” Champagne ran a retail business in California for 15 years before moving across the country and setting up shop in her home. She will talk about the obstacles she conquered, the little tricks and tips that she has instituted for an efficient workspace, and how both she and her husband have maintained a peaceful home as well as dual workspaces.

    Find out more about Lori and her work at…
    Lori’s Video Tips
    LinkedIn
    Facebook