Our Vision & Impact
Why We Built IndieMe Academy
From the Founder
“For over 25 years, we’ve supported independent artists and makers through IndieMe — helping them connect with opportunities, buyers, retailers, and resources across the handcrafted industry. But we kept hearing the same thing from artists at different stages of business:
‘I want to grow… I just don’t know what step comes next.’
That’s why we created IndieMe Academy — to give artists practical education, clear direction, and supportive guidance as they build stronger, more confident creative businesses.”
Jacqueline Adamany, Founder & CEO
Our Mission
To empower creative entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to grow with confidence — whether they are preparing to sell directly to customers, exploring wholesale, or building a stronger handcrafted business for the long term.
Growing Your Creative Business Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming
When you invest in your knowledge, the next steps get clearer and the scary parts get smaller. IndieMe Academy is built to help artists move from “I don’t know where to start” to “I have a plan.”
Inside the Academy, artists can choose the learning path that fits their current goals. Retail Foundations supports artists preparing for markets, shows, pop-ups, customer interaction, display, and direct-to-customer selling. The Wholesale Path supports artists who are ready to understand, prepare for, and grow into wholesale.
Each path is built with step-by-step lessons, practical worksheets, and real-world guidance designed specifically for handmade businesses. Self-paced learning, clear direction, and no-fluff support help artists make thoughtful decisions and take action with more confidence.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Not sure which path is right for you? Review the options and choose the learning experience that best fits where you are now.
Explore Academy Enrollment Options
Questions? academy@indieme.com
Why IndieMe Academy Exists
Most artists start with passion — not perfect pricing, polished displays, wholesale terms, buyer outreach, or a complete business roadmap. They’re incredibly talented, but the business side of growing can feel confusing, intimidating, or out of reach. We’re here to change that.
- The world needs more handcrafted work — not less.
- Artists deserve practical education that respects their creativity and their time.
- Growth should feel more accessible, thoughtful, and artist-centered.
- Education should be built by people who actually understand the handmade business.
What Makes Us Different
- 100% Handmade Focus: We’re not for drop-shippers or mass-producers. Everything we teach is designed for artists making original, handcrafted products.
- 25+ Years of Experience: As the team behind IndieMe, we’ve spent decades supporting makers, retailers, buyers, and the handcrafted industry. This Academy distills that experience into practical, step-by-step guidance.
- Built for Real Artists: You don’t need a business degree to succeed here. We speak artist. We respect your time. And we’re committed to helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Learning Paths for Different Stages: Whether you are preparing for direct-to-customer selling or stepping into wholesale, IndieMe Academy gives you a path that meets you where you are.
Built by the Team Behind IndieMe
IndieMe was created decades ago to connect North American designers with retail buyers. We also developed the ACRE American Craft Retail Expo Show, later selling it in 2017 so we could focus on strengthening the IndieMe Marketplace, Virtual Expo, and now IndieMe Academy.
We understand the questions that can stall artists out. “How should I price this? What should my display look like? How do I talk to customers? Am I ready for wholesale? What if I get a large order? What about lead times, policies, and follow-up?”
IndieMe Academy gives artists practical learning paths, lessons, worksheets, and resources to help turn those questions into thoughtful next steps.
Our Impact Goals
By growing IndieMe Academy, we aim to:
- Help artists build stronger, more confident handcrafted businesses.
- Support makers as they prepare for retail shows, pop-ups, wholesale opportunities, and long-term growth.
- Strengthen the handmade economy across the U.S. and Canada.
- Support small businesses, galleries, independent retailers, and creative communities by helping artists become more prepared, professional, and sustainable.
- Create a new generation of artists who understand their value, present their work with confidence, and make thoughtful business decisions.
What We Believe
- Handmade isn’t a trend — it’s a tradition.
- Artists deserve to be profitable and proud of their process.
- You don’t have to do it alone — education, community, and support matter.
- You’re not “too small” to grow. You just need the right next step.
- There is more than one path to building a successful handcrafted business.
Ready to Join Us?
Whether you are preparing for your first retail event, strengthening your direct-to-customer selling, dreaming of your first wholesale order, or scaling your handmade business, IndieMe Academy is here to help you move forward with confidence.
Explore Academy Enrollment Preview the Curriculum