A community for creative businesses across East Sussex — free workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and people who get it.
Register your interestA free programme delivered by Studio Zao in partnership with East Sussex County Council, running for creative businesses right across East Sussex.
Free, 2-hour sessions — the main way in. Real challenges, tangible takeaways, and a room full of peers, not a lecture. Covering pricing, audience building, hiring, AI tools and grants. Held across East Sussex, from Lewes to Hastings to Eastbourne.
6 hours of one-to-one time with a mentor who’s built a creative business themselves. A short diagnostic call comes first, to find your focus — then structured sessions built entirely around what you need.
Free to join, open to any actively trading creative business in East Sussex. Meet other creatives, get support that actually fits, and stay part of the network long after the programme ends.
Every Hack is open to anyone, free, and the easiest way in. You’ll meet other creative businesses across East Sussex, pick up something practical, and see if the deeper support is right for you — no pressure either way.
Once you’ve attended a Hack, or told us you’re interested, you’re invited to enrol in the mentoring scheme.
A short survey, then a 30-minute call to talk through your situation and define the focus for your mentoring Sprint.
You’re matched with a mentor and begin your 6-hour mentoring Sprint, built around your specific focus.
Places on the mentoring Sprint are limited and matched to fit, so we can’t guarantee mentoring for everyone who registers. Every business is welcome at the Hacks and the wider Collective regardless.
And through all of it, you’re part of something bigger — a community of creative businesses across East Sussex, at the Hacks, in the mentoring, and beyond. You’re not doing this on your own.
Not sure if you fit? Come along to a Hack or get in touch — we’ll help you work it out.
The Creative Collective is delivered by Studio Zao, an innovation and growth consultancy that’s supported hundreds of small businesses across the UK, working in partnership with East Sussex County Council.
Led locally by Sara Carter, who’s spent years mentoring creative founders and building programmes like this one, alongside a team who’ve delivered similar work in Torbay, Croydon and Tamworth.
Real people, not a call centre — you’ll meet the same faces throughout.
Interested in getting involved? Register below and we’ll be in touch with details on the first Hacks as soon as they’re confirmed.
Register your interestThis is an expression of interest — no dates to pick yet. We’ll email you first when the first Hacks are confirmed.