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.

The Team

Kelly Holmes

Lead Faculty

Kelly Holmes (Mnicoujou Lakota) is the Lead Faculty and Program Manager of Creatives Indigenous. She’s also the founder of Native Max New Media, an award-winning global multimedia brand with a constellation of platforms and networks that expand Indigenous talent across print, digital, web, and more. Most recently, Kelly was contracted by New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to facilitate and mentor the AIBE Program.

Irene McCloud

Program Support

Irene McCloud is a Coast Salish native enrolled in the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Born and raised on the Nisqually reservation in Washington State, she works as a project coordinator and recently completed the Google Project Management Certification program. She also curates a Native streetwear brand called Hutxh, which integrates cultural elements and the Lushootseed language into fashion. Passionate about her heritage, Irene strives to uplift her community through her work and creative endeavors.

Niya DeGroat

Social Media Manager

Niya DeGroat is a two-spirited fashion & culture writer and multidisciplinary creative with years of experience in marketing, visual communication, and fashion show production. He is committed to uplifting the creative work of Indigenous peoples in the Americas and beyond.