Exciting New Initiative Launches in Charlotte: Make It Happen Month!
Hey there, Charlotte! Get ready to unleash your creativity because a fantastic new initiative is about to hit the city. Starting this January, Make It Happen Month (MIHM) is here to help you transform your brilliant ideas into reality through a dynamic 30-day program. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or someone just bursting with creative ideas, this is your chance to shine!
What’s the Scoop?
Kicking off on January 2nd and running until January 31st, MIHM is all about empowering individuals to break through barriers and take meaningful action. The program is designed by the wonderful Candice Kelly, a Harvard Extension School grad with a master’s degree in organizational psychology. After spending three years supporting local entrepreneurial nonprofits, she knows a thing or two about turning dreams into success stories!
Why Make It Happen?
Candice has tapped into a common challenge that many innovators face: the struggle to start. She explains, “For early-stage folks, really, a lot of them are just trying to figure out, ‘Am I on the right track?'” Many have the resources at their fingertips, but it’s the fear and nagging feeling of imposter syndrome that holds them back. You know that thought, “What if this looks silly?” or “What if it’s a waste of time?” Well, MIHM aims to tackle that head-on.
Get Ready to Take Action!
Unlike traditional business development initiatives that place a heavy emphasis on planning, MIHM is all about action. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with their ideas in a low-pressure environment. The program introduces a creative framework called FAST — which stands for First and Small Test — guiding people to identify immediate, manageable steps they can take toward their exciting goals.
What Happens During the Month?
Throughout January, participants can dive deep into their creative projects and work on refining their ideas into what’s known as minimum viable products (MVPs), all without needing a hefty investment upfront. Think of it as a supportive playground for your imagination!
The adventure wraps up with a grand showcase event at Do Greater, where everyone gets to present their MVPs or creative works developed during the program. “We’re coming together one last time to celebrate what we’ve made,” Candice shared, “and to connect with resources that can help take folks further.”
Who Can Join?
This incredible initiative is open to a wide spectrum of participants, from budding filmmakers to aspiring business owners and civic innovators. Imagine launching a cleaning service, producing a documentary, or even writing that memoir you’ve always dreamed about—this program welcomes it all! Kelsey Van Dyke, the director of educational innovation and technology at Do Greater, expressed their excitement: “We hope it will spark a ripple effect of entrepreneurial and creative energy across the city.”
Join the Fun!
Ready to take the plunge? Registration for MIHM is now open! The signup fee is $100, which covers all materials and events throughout the month. Just a heads up, space is limited to 250 participants, so don’t miss your chance to join in on the fun!
As Candice put it, “I’m hoping it brings a new energy, a new life to the conversation around what it means to start.” So, instead of waiting for “one day,” why not make today the day to unleash your creativity? We can’t wait to see what you make happen, Charlotte! Let’s do this!
