Advanced Construction + Design Institute

Photo Credit: Megan Cooper

Institute Description

Rising badass construction trades people, interior designers and decorators and muralists aged 18-35 enroll in this Institute to receive industry specific career mentorship and coaching from field experts.

We accept up to 8 emerging construction + design professionals and entrepreneurs serious about advancing their career or growing their small business. We invite individuals who are coachable, embrace honest feedback and desire to improve while bringing their career and/or small business to the next level.

Construction + design students will focus their attention on how to:

• Enhance their brand and influence
• Develop a better understanding of industry trends and how it operates
• Work alongside a community of industry professionals and peers who inspire forwarrd forward movement and advancement

Each Construction + Design Institute student will be paired with a coach to help with development and implementation of a 6 month action plan.

At the end of 6 months, we will celebrate and showcase the success of the students at the Construction + Design Showcase attended by area industry professionals, family and friends. Students present the goals they’ve achieved during the Institute, announce the additional resources they need to bring themselves to the next level and are awarded with a customized toolkit based on needs career advancement needs.

Ideal Candidates

Age: 18-35

Candidate Status: We are seeking motivated, coachable construction + design professionals and entrepreneurs who embrace honest feedback, desire to improve their skills and knowldge about the business behind the industry. Candidates must have 2+ years of experience plus a passion and desire to grow in the construction and/or design industries whether you: 

• work for and support the growth of a small, medium or large construction, mural painting, interior design or interior decorating company
• offer freelance services in the construction + design industry or
• run a small business in the construction + design industry

You are currently in one or more of the following positions:

• • Carpenter
  • Metal Worker
  • Painter
  • Muralist
  • Interior Designer
  • Interior Decorator
  • Blogger (must be covering stories on construction, interior design, interior decorating or mural painting industries)
  • Graphic Designer (your clients must be in the construction, interior design, interior decorating or mural painting industries)
  • Photographer (your clients must be in the construction, interior design, interior decorating or mural painting industries)
  • Videographer (your clients must be in the construction, interior design, interior decorating or mural painting industries)

PHASE 1: Trauma Informed + Growth Mindset

We prepare you to have a positive experience by identifying and addressing trauma that leads to limiting beliefs as well as negative reactions which can hinder your learning experience and overall positive growth and development. Addressing trauma from the onset sets the stage for a transformational learning experience.

PHASE 2: Customer/Client Identification

You will identify and clarify who your customer or client is, why you are marketing and selling to this target audience as well as your passion and motivation behind working with these individuals.

For those self-motivated employees out there, the company leadership team is your client!

PHASE 3: Marketing + Brand Development

You will further develop your personal brand as an industry professional as well as the brand of their small business or company department.

PHASE 4: Behind the Business of the Industry

You will enhance your knowledge and skills about the administrative and operational responsibilities needed to run a successful business or be an irreplaceable employee within a company. From content and team development to proposal writing, you learn the value of and how to master these skill sets.

PHASE 5: Public Speaking + Networking

Getting comfortable motivating groups of people to take action will bring you far! You will strengthen your confidence and ability to publicly present research findings, pitch proposals, train team members, and lead meetings. You improve in business and career driven verbal, written and nonverbal communication alongside industry peers and experts. 

PHASE 6: Celebrate + Launch

Celebrating success and growth is INCREDIBLY important. We will celebrate and showcase your work, achievements and aspirations through an annual public in-person Construction + Design showcase. 

PHASE 7: Accountability Mentorship

You will be paired with an accountability mentor to assure you continue to implement action steps related to the next level goals you established for yourself by the end of the first 6 months of the Institute. This mentorship will be provided for one year after the first 6 months of the Institute.

*You MUST apply by December 3rd to gain complimentary access to this resource.*

 Institute Schedule

Dates: February 2023 – August 2023
February 2023: Minsdet Retreat, an experience to prepare you for the Construction + Design Institute lifestyle.

Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, every Monday and Tuesday

Applications accepted October 12, 2022 – December 16, 2022

Interviews will take place in November and December

Institute Tuition

$2,150 for early stage entrepreneurs or professional paying themselves (true value: over $16,000) – supports the cost of a 3night/4day  Mindset Retreat, weekly coaching, supplies, workbook, dinner at each session, RT travel and overnight accommodations for the Construction + Design* tour and your custom business toolkit. PAYMENT PLANS ARE OFFERED.

The Construction + Design tour will be a 2night/3day business trip outside of the Capital Region that includes meetings with construction + design professionals creating innovative designs and structures.

The business toolkit will include equipment, supplies and gift certificates aligned with your individual career and/or business goals. Items may include a sewing table, shoe horns, certificates to pro bono or low-cost marketing services, and more.

$8,000 for established businesses investing in their team members – supports the cost of a 3night/4day Mindset Retreat, weekly coaching, supplies, workbook, dinner at each session, RT travel and overnight accommodations for the Construction + Design* tour and your custom business toolkit. PAYMENT PLANS ARE OFFERED.

The Construction + Design tour will be a 2night/3day business trip outside of the Capital Region that includes meetings with construction + design professionals creating innovative designs and structures.

The business toolkit will include equipment, supplies and gift certificates aligned with your individual career and/or business goals. Items may include a sewing table, shoe horns, certificates to pro bono or low-cost marketing services,  and more.