April Dupuis received her BFA (2004) in education from Anderson University and her Masters of Ceramics and Visual Arts from Ball State University (2006). April was the pottery studio assistant for potter John Peterson in Albany, IN (2005-2007) and her work was greatly inspired by learning from this amazing potters technique, studio practices, and the sgraffito technique. April has a passion for teaching others and founded The Potter’s Hands Studio in Indianapolis, IN, Memphis, TN, and Columbus, OH where she taught numerous adult pottery classes for 17 years and mentored pottery teachers.

April was commissioned to create 450 pieces for the elite restaurant Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis TN for an Andrew Beard Foundation dinner. April currently has 2 studios in northern Mississippi where she enjoys creating meaningful work and custom commissions.

Business Goals

(1) To build a marketing plan for my new online series of classes, as well as in person pottery classes, and my private commission service involving resin, inlaid floral arrangements in clay.

(2) To find the best platform and video equipment for my online subscription videos.

The Oxford Food Truck Association empowers culinary entrepreneurs by building a network that supports economic growth, professional development, and community engagement. They unite food truck operators, farmers, cottage food makers, and culinary creators to expand access to diverse food options, promote local business success, and strengthen the regional culinary ecosystem. Through collaboration, shared resources, and community events, OFTA seeks to establish vibrant food parks and destination culinary spaces that enrich the cultural, social, and economic life of Oxford and Lafayette County.

Red and Mavis Rayburn are the head of the Oxford Food Truck Association. Red has participated in food truck courts in Atlanta, been a long-time pit-master at Corky’s BBQ in Memphis, and worked at JR Crickets in Atlanta Georgia.

Business Goals

1. Determine an annual calendar of special events that match up with the Lafayette-Oxford-University community calendar.

2. Recruit food trucks to participate in the calendar of events and build a website to feature the food trucks and the special events.

3. Develop a marketing plan and social media schedule to promote the food trucks and special events.

I have been taking photographs since I was 15, when my grandmother Evelyn gave me a Pentax A3000. Growing up in the Mississippi and Michigan deciduous woods and hills taught me a love of nature and the fleeting beauty of pocket light. I love waiting for just the right moment to capture, and the patience and awareness required.
Business Goals

To build a website that features my services as a pet portrait photographer the goal of the website is to have samples of work available to view, a calendar for clients to set appointments, and private online galleries for individual clients to review photographs and choose shots for print.

To build my social media brand and online presence. I'm excited to develop this business for myself, as it combines two loves of mine; animals and photography! At the conclusion of the six months, my goal is to have the website fully running and available for appointments.

Kira Cummings is a multi-medium artist adept in an array of disciplines; painting, pyrography, photography, videography, graphic design, and animation. A Fine Art graduate of Jackson State University with a Minor in Graphic Design, Cummings holds a membership in the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi for pyrography. Cummings is the Creative Director for The Works where she creates video and animation for musicians, interview programs, and corporate promotions as well as producing live events. Cummings is also an affiliate for Walnut Hollow. Kira Cummings is a pyrographer/woodburning artist, specializing in creating intricate portraits along with a variety of woodburned accessories, including magnets and Tic Tac Toe boxes.

Business Goals

Expand Online Presence: Increase social media engagement by posting more consistently.

Improve Customer Retention: Develop a loyalty program or incentives for repeat customers. Focus on improving customer service and creating personalized experiences.

Increase Brand Awareness: Get featured in local media, blogs, or podcasts related to art.

Increase Revenue: Set a target percentage increase in sales (e.g., 10-20%).

www.kiracummingsstudio.com/

My name is John Reyer Afamasaga. I have been using video as a story-telling platform since 2018. My primary area of expertise is advertising. I was honored to win "Best Mississippi Feature" at the 2019 Oxford Film Festival for my documentary "Door Ajar," which explored the life of African American artist M.B. Mayfield. My work has also earned recognition as a 2018 nominee for the John E. O'Connor American Historical Association Film Award for "The Yard," another impactful documentary. My experience as a filmmaker lets me tell your unique and compelling story emphatically and convincingly. I prefer connecting with my audience using emotion and believe a great Call to Action is necessary for all marketing. I am proficient with the latest tools and software to deliver the highest quality ads for your business. Please contact me for a free in-person consultation on your next advertising campaign!

Business Goals

To develop ReelAds by YALLWANTADS into an effective and affordable advertising solution for businesses of all sizes. ReelAds are adverts created and distributed in the popular social media format known as reels (Ratio 9:16). The format’s aesthetic makes messaging feel more organic. Thus creating a seamless experience for the viewer. Our messaging flies under the radar while still delivering on its promise and providing a Call to Action for our clients.

Create and grow an online community for Oxford businesses from which the whole community can benefit. There is no business-conscious platform for Oxford businesses to connect with their clients and audiences in an amicable and meaningful way. Several Facebook pages offer platforms but in a very un-business-like manner. This is not their fault; their goals differ from what we're proposing. And that is a page run by businesses for businesses to promote their products and services in the best possible light!

www.yallwantads.com/

I'm Amy, a life-long Mississippi artist looking to refine my studio practice. After earning my BFA in painting in 2022, I've set out to establish a studio practice in Water Valley, where I primarily focus on oil painting.

My goal through the CSA program is to establish a more consistent work schedule, reliably create new art works, and engage regularly with my network of collectors. I will complete enough works for a show by the summer, and create monthly "small works sales" so that I may offer art works at a range of prices to sell on my website. I will update my socials and newsletters to document this, so that my audience can regularly see new available works every month. I believe the CSA program will help me prepare for my first upcoming international show in Munich, and hone the professional and entrepreneurial skills of a successful artist.

www.amyreneewebb.com/

Brady Rees is a guitarist and harmonica player who has joined with Luke Fisher and David Anderson, the founders of the Red Clay Music Society, to build year-round events featuring local artists.

The professional development goals for the Red Clay Music Society are to form a nonprofit corporation to support local musicians, hold a one-day workshop to connect emerging artists with professional resources such as songwriters in Nashville, host a songwriter’s showcase, and create a cadre of songwriters to promote hiring of local musicians. Rees, Fisher, and Anderson strive to build year-round events featuring local artists expanding professional development and opportunities for artists in the region.

I am Camille Breckenridge, wife, mother to adult children, retired MS Educator, and Owner of the only Needlepoint Shop in Mississippi - THE STITCHERY. My shop offers hand-painted needlepoint canvases, fibers, accessories, and needlepoint classes for beginners, advanced, and youth. The Stitchery opened on Aug 1, 2024. It is located on Main Street in Water Valley – a thriving and up-and-coming art community.

Business Goals

· Expand marketing skills - My goal is to learn to market my business to more of Mississippi. I am the only needlepoint shop in Mississippi and would like to reach needlepoint enthusiasts all over the state. My plan is to offer more classes throughout the state in order to introduce this handcraft to others.

· Increase shop visibility online - I currently have a website that is provided through Shopify, my point of sale. The website is basic and I would like to enhance its usability as well as make it more visually appealing. A better website will help me draw more stitchers and handcrafts to my shop.

· Develop branding knowledge - Understanding the need for branding and understanding how to implement branding are two different things. My background is in Education, so I’m eager to learn this skill to grow my small business.

www.thestitcheryms.com

I’m Mason Payne, the passionate entrepreneur behind The Bitter Works Beverage Co., a startup craft soda business based in Oxford, Ms. We specialize in creating unique, artisanal sodas with natural ingredients that you wont find in mainstream markets. We focus on crafting small batches to ensure quality and taste, appealing to those who seek a sophisticated alternative to conventional mass produced beverages. My professional goal for this program is to establish a solid foundation from scratch. I want to leverage the programs mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to perfect our product recipes, secure initial funding, and develop a viable model that can be scaled up for rapid growth and sustainability.