By Ashira Weiss
Avi Winner and Mendy Plotkin kept coming up against a wall. The two friends worked together on directing many projects for Chabad’s international operations and each time it came to recruiting copywriters, video editors, photographers and other independent contractors they were stumped. The vendors everyone knew about had too much on their plate and in order to find anyone else they had to resort to crowdsourcing and ‘asking around.’
“Everyone is always scrambling to find talented creators while at the same time there are many gifted freelancers in our community not getting any exposure,” Avi says. The two had an idea, why not create some kind of website where creators and project managers could connect?
They brought the plan to their friend Berri Wolosow who in his position at CHYE’s job placement program faced a similar conundrum. “There was just this disconnect between businesses and freelancers. They were each searching to connect with the other, but somehow they kept missing,” he says. Berri knew the people on both sides of the equation. He knew the talent was there, and so were the opportunities, but no one was bringing them together.
In his words, “Young, creative talent in our community needed a platform in order to grow.” Berri got the backing of Director of Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE), Rabbi Yehoshua Werde and recruited Yehuda Tanenbaum to take the lead on the project. The three developed Avi and Mendy’s idea, the result — a freelancer platform that is launching this week.
Dubbed CH Creative, the platform serves as a matchmaker, a meeting place for creative talent and businesses that need their services. Freelancers sign up to showcase their work and businesses log on to the website to scout creative talent to match their needs. “The hub is a solution that is genius in its simplicity,” says Mendel Bergstein of Branded Design.
Though Mendel has been in the graphic design business for five years already, he says every creative can benefit from a hub such as CH Creative. “They’re bringing together a pool of people who speak the same language.” Unlike other freelance platforms, all those showcased on CH Creative have experience working with the Jewish community.
“CH Creative is a centralized hub where businesses and freelancers can meet. It’s like a virtual career fair so neither those hiring, nor those seeking work have to rely on word of mouth,” Yehuda says.
The platform has been in the works for a few months and already many videographers, copywriters, graphic designers, photographers, marketers, and others have submitted their business profiles to be showcased on the platform. “I’m not surprised there’s been such an enthusiastic response,” says Naftali Marasow, New York photographer and filmmaker. “I’m recommending it to everyone I know.”
The website is sleek, easy to navigate and free to use. Every creative has a page that details their expertise and years of experience along with samples of their work. Businesses can easily connect to the talent they are looking for directly from the platform via an embedded link. “It is an opportunity for freelancers to market themselves to clients without much effort,” Yehuda says. CH Creative will also help market freelancers by promoting featured talent weekly on their social media accounts, giving them further exposure.
CH Creative is a live platform that will keep growing as more freelancers come on board. It will be live in a week, stay tuned for the official launch.
It is fully sponsored by CHYE. If you would like to be showcased on CH Creative, or with any other questions, contact Yehuda at [email protected], or 832-280-7031.
This is so great! Thank you CHYE!! We need this in the Jewish community!
The talent was always there. Only now some good people, the hardworking fellows at CHYE, have made it easily available. Good job Berrie and co!
Is this like the Jewish Fiverr?? If so, that’s really cool