Why we founded PAUSE’s Starlight Business Development Residency
Starting a business is hard. Starting a business as a person of color in an industry that makes people uncomfortable is even harder.
Almost exactly 1 year ago I quit my full-time job to pursue my grief work (that had basically become a full-time job on the side). My last week on the job was also the week we found out that I was pregnant. It's been a WILD year but I can say that it's been so incredibly worth it to pursue my work in this space, particularly as it's sharpened and allowed me to launch PAUSE.
So, as Executive Director of PAUSE, I am so excited to announce that today we are opening applications for our inaugural program, PAUSE's Starlight Business Development Residency. This is a cohort program dedicated to supporting People of Color working in the grief and end of life industry.
As someone who has built a business and presence in this space, I can say that the thing that's helped me most is having other entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers alongside me for this journey. Without their support, I would not be where I am today. I've had people on speed dial to cry to, laugh with, get frustrated with, problem-solve with, and grow with. So the chance to create space for that kind of connection and support is why we developed and launched this program as our first offering.
If you're interested in joining us, please check it out and apply before July 4th, 2022. And if you know people working in our industry that could use this support, please send this their way!
What is The Residency?
PAUSE’s new Business Development Residency is a no-cost offering for organizations, business owners, and concept creators from Communities of Color to receive support for their work in the grief and end of life industries. This program is the first of its kind and is launching with in the generous support of the John and Wauna Harman Foundation. The Residency is a six-month program designed to support and amplify the work of a diverse cohort of remarkable, leading professionals. In addition to module-based learning, The Residency will give participants an opportunity to expand their resources, leadership, and network resilience in the grief and end of life industries.
What does The Residency include?
Starlight is the first of PAUSE’s professional and business development programming built to support professionals from Communities of Color. This specific program includes live learning modules hosted by subject matter experts, community building, networking, resource sharing, and a cohort environment where participants will be surrounded by their peers.
Cohort environment
As a Residency participant, you’ll connect and learn alongside an intimate cohort of entrepreneurs, leaders, changemakers, and peers. Communities of Practice: Guided group meetings where participants gather for project guidance, community support, and resource sharing; Peer Coaching: One-on-one coaching sessions designed for members to receive open coaching and foster relationship building within the industry; Peer-led workshops: Knowledge and skill-sharing sessions preparing each participant to showcase their work; One-on-one coaching from SMEs: Individual support from professionals in the field.
Customized learning modules
Six themed modules facilitated by experts from various industries. These subject matter experts will share their talents and experiences to empower participants to effectively develop their work and business. These modules will be designed with the intention of supporting the cohort with business-related issues, ideally leading to more sustainable, supported companies that are equipped to serve each individual’s customer base the best they can. Module topics include radical rest, financial management, content creation, networking, advocacy, and more.
Content creation and amplification
As a part of our programming, PAUSE will support each cohort member by developing a unique package of materials built to support their business. This includes but is not limited to a custom media kit featuring their business and story, published articles featuring their writing, custom presentations developed for The Residency’s Educational Series and Mini Conference, and more. In addition to content creation, PAUSE will also draw from it’s deep network of publications and platforms to help amplify the voices of each cohort member in third-party content and media.
What will you get out of this experience?
By the end of this residency, we anticipate participants will:
Reduce their isolation associated with entrepreneurship
Connect with other entrepreneurial leaders in the industry about the unique opportunities and challenges facing People of Color working in the field
Develop resilience allowing them to further support their customers and audiences
Create strategies for how to build sustainability into their business model
Grow their network of grief and end of life professionals
Experience moments dedicated to rest and practice rituals of self-care
Experience peer coaching and expert coaching from business experts and other leading grief and end of life professionals
Have accessed a safe space to process business challenges
Produce products and content to support their work
Apply today
Applications are currently open through 11:59pm PT Monday July 4th, 2022.
Questions?
programs@timetopause.org Chloe Cole-Wilson, Programs Manager, PAUSE
hello@timetopause.org Alica Forneret, Executive Director, PAUSE