ABOUT US

Creatives Indigenous by Native Max...

was created by and for Creative Indigenous entrepreneurs looking to grow and thrive with their businesses. We accelerate Indigenous artists, creators, designers, makers, and visionaries to start their businesses off strong through Our 3 Pillars:

OUR 3 PILLARS

Encourage

Financial independence allows Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs to reclaim freedom and build wealth for not just themselves but also their families, communities and nations.

Empower

Creatives Indigenous fosters Indigenous entrepreneurs to continue their entrepreneurial journeys with full confidence in their abilities, skills and available resources.

Equip

Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs are provided wth the knowledge to build successful businesses independently and with the ability to benefit their respective communities.

Overview

We take Creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs from the starting line to start-up status and beyond through an array of programs, resources, and more.

Creatives Indigenous is an entrepreneurship program centered on Indigenous values, informed by lead faculty Kelly Holmes’s decades-long experience as a Native woman leading a media and fashion business.

Creatives Indigenous offers Indigenous entrepreneurs a rigorous exploration and application of topics, including business opportunity analysis, business model development, leadership and team building, managing cash flows, and more.

Our qualitative goals include supporting entrepreneurship and innovation to reinforce cultural knowledge and traditions while advancing innovation and building a more inclusive and dynamic creative economy.

Coaching

We offer a variety of carefully created content and curriculum that teaches strategy development, business models and opportunities, sales, marketing, financial management, fundraising and more.

1:1 Mentorship

Entrepreneurial needs are complex, evolving and varying, We provide the additional capacity of coaching for the business endeavors of our participants through 1:1 mentorship sessions.

Resources

We offer complimentary downloadable resources, templates, and more for Creative entrepreneurs to help them jumpstart their businesses.

Supportive Community

At Creatives Indigenous, we believe a supportive community leads to a successful business. We work to provide a safe and supportive community for our participants and cohorts.

About Kelly Holmes

Kelly Holmes (Mnicoujou Lakota) is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of business, fashion, media, and Indigenous empowerment. As the founder of multiple ventures—including the award-winning Native Max Magazine and various accelerator programs—Kelly has spent her career building platforms that uplift Native voices and bridge the gap between culture and commerce. Creatives Indigenous is the culmination of her work and vision: a dedicated space where new and established Indigenous entrepreneurs can access the tools, training, and community they need to succeed. Through this platform, Kelly shares her knowledge, insight, and passion to guide others toward sustainable and impactful business journeys rooted in creativity and culture.