About Us

ABOUT ADVOCATES PAYING ADVOCATES

Advocates Paying Advocates (APA) is a peer-to-peer digital marketplace and community where violence prevention advocates leverage their expertise by selling resources to colleagues.

OUR MISSION

For 40+ years, advocates in the violence prevention movement have been the backbone of survivor services. The work is essential, and the dedication is unwavering. Yet many advocates seek additional pathways to financial stability while continuing to do work they love.

We believe supported advocates = sustained movement.

The APA Marketplace creates economic opportunities that allow advocates to:

• Build supplemental income streams while staying employed in advocacy
• Develop independent consulting businesses aligned with their expertise
• Share knowledge through training materials, templates, and toolkits
• Connect with a community of professional peers who understand the work

HOW IT WORKS

For Creators:

Upload your resources to the marketplace, set your prices, and earn 85-90% commission on every sale. Access the Creator's Guild (with Pro Creator membership) or Free Community for support, training, and professional development. Choose between two pathways based on your goals.

For Buyers:

Browse resources created by experienced advocates who understand your work. Purchase training materials, templates, tools, and guides that save you time and strengthen your programs. All purchases support advocates building economic stability.

TWO PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

CREATOR JOURNEY (Most Popular for Marketplace Sellers)

Build supplemental income while staying employed in advocacy. Create digital products, templates, and resources in 3-12 hours per week.

Who This Is For:

• Current advocates, activists, and community organizers
• Survivor-leaders sharing their expertise
• Workers, leaders, volunteers, and partners on the frontlines
• Those seeking supplemental income through weekend/evening projects

Available Training Programs:

• FREE Creator Path Assessment (16 questions, discover your creator profile)
• Creator Accelerator Program - Special Price: $67 (Founding Member Rate)
  21-Day Program to Launch Your First Digital Product
• Creator Accelerator Bootcamp - Special Price: $147 (Founding Member Rate)
  90-Day Comprehensive Program for Building Your Creator Business

Creator Profiles (Discover Yours Through Assessment):

• Practical Solution Creator (PSC) - Creates tools that solve daily workflow challenges
• Lived-Practice Document Expert (LPDE) - Transforms experiences into practical resources
• Advocacy Leadership & Visionary Strategist (ALVS) - Develops strategic frameworks
• Voice & Message Generator (VMG) - Creates compelling communications materials
• Specialized Practice Consultant (SPC) - Packages niche expertise into resources

ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY

Build an independent consulting business aligned with your advocacy expertise. Dedicate 5-30+ hours per week to developing your entrepreneurial venture.

Who This Is For:

• Experienced advocates transitioning to independent consulting
• Coalition leaders and trainers building professional practices
• Those with specialized expertise ready to offer services
• Consultants seeking structure and community support

Available Training Programs:

• FREE Entrepreneurship Readiness Assessment (Identify your business profile)
• 4 Paths to Entrepreneurship - Special Price: $67 (Founding Member Rate) Foundational program helps you identify your entrepreneurship style and create a customized action plan 
• Business Launch Accelerator -  Special Price: $199 - (Founding Members Rate)
  21-Day Intensive Program to Launch Your Consulting Business
• Business Builder Bootcamp - Special Price: $299 - (Founding Members Rate)
  90-Day Program to Build Sustainable Business 

Entrepreneur Profiles (Discover Yours Through Assessment):

• Independent Consulting Professional (ICP) - Fee-for-service consulting
• Trainer & Professional Developer (TPD) - Workshop and training businesses
• Hybrid Business Builder (HBB) - Combines products and services
• Community-Funded Business (CFB) - Membership or subscription models
• Specialized Enterprise Developer (SED) - Unique business models

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Free Community

All creators have access to our Free Community for peer support, marketplace updates, and connection with colleagues.

Creator's Guild (Included with Pro Creator Membership - $29/month)

Pro Creator members receive access to the Creator's Guild, featuring monthly training sessions, co-working spaces, accountability groups, and advanced creator resources.

Business Guild (Separate Membership - $47/month)

Entrepreneurs on the Business Journey can join the Business Guild for business development support, strategic planning resources, marketing guidance, and networking opportunities.

ABOUT DAWSON VISIONARY ENTERPRISES

The APA Marketplace is operated by Dawson Visionary Enterprises (DVE), LLC, a woman-owned consulting firm founded by Shawndell Dawson. With 28 years of experience in survivor advocacy, coalition building, training, and technical assistance, and 15 years managing federal grants totaling $260 million serving over 1.3 million survivors annually, DVE understands both the challenges advocates face and the value of their expertise.

DVE's mission is to create economic pathways that support advocates while strengthening the movement. We add resources to the field that honor the 40+ years of foundational work while creating new opportunities for economic empowerment.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

• Built by advocates, for advocates - We understand your work and your challenges
• Communal economy model - When you succeed, the whole community benefits
• High commission rates - You keep 85-90% of every sale (90% for founding members!)
• Respectful approach - We honor the movement's history and add value without competing with grant-funded resources
• Choice-based pathways - Whether you want supplemental income or a full business, we support your goals
• Comprehensive support - Training, community, and resources to help you succeed

COMMITMENT TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We take copyright and intellectual property seriously. All creators must confirm they have rights to sell their materials. We do not support selling grant-funded materials without proper authorization. Review our complete Intellectual Property Policy for details.

OUR VALUES

• Economic Empowerment - We help advocates expand their financial futures 
• Movement Integrity - We honor 40+ years of foundational advocacy work
• Community Support - Rising together strengthens the entire movement
• Sustainable Careers - Creating pathways for long-term advocacy careers
• Respect & Dignity - Choice-based, invitational approach to opportunities