Today we’d like to introduce you to Chip Fleming.
Hi Chip, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Chip Fleming, the founder of Creators Ignite, and how we got started came from a place of inspiration while in the process of building community.
My background is in real estate, and a few years ago, my group was running several mixed-use creative buildings in Logan Heights, San Diego. These vibrant hubs combined artisan retail, creative co-working, coffee, a couple art galleries, production and event spaces, and even an outdoor rock-climbing gym – we likened our projects to dynamic playground spaces for creatives. I was struck by the infectious energy and community engagement these spaces sparked, seeing guests’ faces light up with excitement when they would visit.
The level of personal excitement and fulfillment I felt from helping shape these projects was almost indescribable; it was the first time I felt as though I was in total alignment with my true purpose.
It was during this time that I began to reflect more on my personal mission – to enrich lives and help strengthen communities through the arts and education. This drove me to think of how we could deepen our overall impact through what we were already doing.
One day, inspiration struck – we should bring in kids from the neighborhood to meet all the creative entrepreneurs in our spaces, to inspire them and show them that people from their own community are doing incredible things through a creative passion and that they can too!
And that’s how Creators Ignite was born.
Our program has now evolved since then, but the essence remains the same. Creators Ignite came from a desire to enrich lives and help strengthen communities from within by teaching the next generation how to find their own path to success and fulfillment through a creative pursuit and way of thinking. We use creativity and entrepreneurship as a lens to view the world differently. To inspire students to find their passion and use that passion as a vehicle to create their own future.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From my experience, nothing in life worth doing is easy. When this all initially started, I had no background in education outside of being a student; I had never developed a program or even a class. All I had to start was an idea and a ton of passion. Those two things led me to meeting my business partner, Paul Shockley – serial entrepreneur and Program Director at UCSD’s Design & Innovation Lab. Together, we were able to assemble an amazing team and attract an extraordinary network of creatives with a shared desire to have a significant and lasting impact on the next generation.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Creators Ignite builds programs that equip students from underserved and underrepresented communities to break barriers, making entrepreneurship accessible to all and shaping a future where every student can thrive and uplift their own community.
Our main program teaches students how to take a creative passion and turn that passion into a business, taking participants from no idea to initial product/service launch in less than 6 months.
Here’s how the program is structured:
(1) Phase 1 – “Business Academy”
A six-week entrepreneurial journey of self-discovery, where participants learn to develop and pitch their very own creative businesses. Students receive a wide range of tools and experiences that aim to inspire them and change how they think about the world and themselves. Whether someone is looking to build their own long-standing business or is just looking to learn some valuable entrepreneurial tactics and strategies, this program is designed to equip them with critical lifelong skills.
(2) Phase 2 – “Mentorship Program”
Our Mentorship Program is for participants who complete our Business Academy and wish to continue on their entrepreneurial journey. In this phase, we take students from developed business plan to initial product/service launch. Each student is paired with a seasoned mentor who specializes in the student’s chosen area of focus and receives 1-on-1 training, guidance, and support from their mentor throughout the entire process. Upon completion of this phase of the program, students will have successfully brought a product or service to market and receive ongoing community support to help them along the rest of their journey.
What Sets Us Apart?
There is a big gap in terms of education and resources for many from underserved communities. Our solution aims to address this problem at its core – teaching skills and a mindset that fosters independence, self-awareness, creativity, and resilience. We empower students to step into their true power.
These programs are offered at no cost to the students thanks to our incredible partners and sponsors who are as dedicated as we are to providing this service to those who need it the most.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The growth of our program stems from the exceptional efforts of our team. I feel very honored and blessed to be a part of this project alongside such amazing people, connected through a shared purpose and mission.
I want to extend a huge thanks to our partners and sponsors – Access Inc., Urban Corps, Miramar College, and San Diego Workforce Partnership. Without your support, none of this would be possible. Ways to Get Involved:
If you like what we’re doing and are interested in helping us do more, here are a few ways that you can get involved:
1 – Mentor – share your knowledge & experience with hungry new entrepreneurs.
2 – Promote – the only way we grow is through word of mouth. Help spread our message to anyone that may be interested in helping us grow.
3 – Sponsor – help us fund the next cohort of students through donations, grants, or fiscal sponsorship support.
For more info on us, check out our website:
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about us; we look forward to connecting with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creatorsignite.com/
- Email: chip@creatorsignite.com
Image Credits
Vito Di Stefano
