Welcome!  This website is by Nina Palmieri and each page contains a different aspect of my prototype journey in CMIS 4000 New Ventures in Creative Media, section 002, with Professor Elizabeth Strickler at Georgia State University. 

NEW VENTURE/BUSINESS SUMMARY

PROBLEM: The lack of access to networking and experience needed to break into the photography/media industry.

SOLUTION: A paid mentorship program to get aspiring photographers real-world industry experience, guidance and networking.

BUSINESS MODEL: Shepherd’s Delight (my company) will partner with a bigger company, partner company will fund mentorship program, Sheppard’s Delight will find mentors or use those who already work for partner company. Mentors will be paid for their mentor work and participants will be paid $15/hour during 6-month mentorship. While in the mentorship, participants will be gaining great experience as well as creating work that will benefit Sheppard’s Delight and the parent company both financially and creatively. After mentorship is over, mentees will be more likely to work for partner company or any companies affiliated with it, making them more money. If mentees do not work for partner company after mentorship, partner company name will now be on hundreds of new resumes, have mentees spreading the word of the mentorship program to others interested, and give them an “in” into the world of photography with their contributions at any company helping the media industry to be better as a whole.

TARGET MARKET: Young adults, 18-30, artsy/creative, like technology, driven, curious, ability to be independent, need guidance to get into the photography industry. Preferably those who already have a certain set of basic knowledge about photography but want to learn more.

KEY COMPETITIORS:

• NBC Page Program with NBC – pages (interns/mentees) paid $18.50 + overtime to participate, 12-15 month fellowship, NYC or Universal City, CA/in-person or online (more of a job/internship but lots of the same qualities of a mentorship).
• Atlanta School of Photography (ASOP) Mentorship Program – mentees pay $300 to participate, 4 lessons over 1 week, ATL.
• Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP) Mentorship Program – pay $1,950-$2,150 to participate, Choose between: One Mentor – eight sessions; 45 minutes per session; within one year, or, Two Mentors – four sessions each; 45 minutes per session; within six months, LA/in-person or online.