The Workshop at Macy’s Makes Its Return, Boasting an Enhanced Program

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Macy’s retail development program — The Workshop at Macy’s — is back, providing up-and-coming businesses with tools, education, and support to help them get started and sustain growth. 

The program kicks off with 25 new entrepreneurs who are committed to participating in a five-week program — in both in-person and virtual events. It is running from April 25 to May 28 and will be featuring new classes like Strategic Sourcing and Pitching for Funding. 

[Read more: 3 Ways Macy’s Is Tapping Tech to Attract Shoppers]

As part of its social purpose platform, Mission Every One, Macy’s is investing in more underrepresented designers, brands and business partners, products, and service providers to “amplify diverse voices, create more choices, and expand opportunities for colleagues, partners, and communities.” 

A portion of the company’s overall $5 billion commitment for Mission Every One — totaling $250,000 annually in business grants — will support The Workshop at Macy’s. 

New Program Elements

“This year, The Workshop at Macy’s returns with several enhancements to continue evolving the program as a business accelerator for the participants,” said Michelle Wang – Macy’s vice president of retail diversity strategy. “The enhancements, including business grants, will help accelerate the participants’ success, and better support growth opportunities for these underrepresented businesses.”

Macy’s will be launching a digital pop-up shop from May 2 to May 28 on the company’s website where program participants will have the opportunity to sell their products. Additionally, participants will be featured on Macys.com live shopping episodes on May 12 and May 19. 

[More about Macy’s: Expands Off-Price Shop-in-Shops]

Participants will also enter a vendor pitch competition where they present their product, business opportunity, and funding proposal. The winner will receive a $100,000 grant along with a partnership with Macy’s sourcing team, buy-now-pay-later services from Klarna, marketing assistance from Spark Foundry, and more.

Once participants complete the five-week program, they each receive a $5,000 business grant. 

The 2022 Class

The workshop’s newest class of entrepreneurs represent 25 brands across several retail categories including beauty, home, accessories, womenswear, menswear, and more. Brands featured in this year’s class include:

  • Abingdon Co. (Nevada)
  • Absolute Joi (Washington, D.C.)
  • Anya Lust (New York)
  • Ben Oni (New York)
  • Black Paper Party (Pennsylvania)
  • Carolina York (South Carolina)
  • Curl Daddy (New Jersey)
  • Dia Moda (Georgia)
  • Emilia George (New York)
  • Forgotten Skincare (Pennsylvania)
  • Kyvan (Georgia)
  • Lux Pillow Plus (Nevada)
  • Maika (California)
  • Megan Renee (California)
  • Moringa Connect (Massachusetts)
  • My Mommy Wisdom (Florida)
  • NefrFreshr (Texas)
  • Play Out Apparel (New York)
  • Plenitude (Maryland)
  • Sabila Skincare (California)
  • Stivali New York (New York)
  • Swanky Designs (New Jersey)
  • Terese Sydonna (New York)
  • Unisa Eurani (New York)
  • Uwila Warrior (Massachusetts)

The company reports that several workshop alumni have successfully launched product lines in select Macy’s stores and on macys.com. Most recently, alumni Matthew Harris collaborated with Macy’s exclusive brand to launch MATEO for I.N.C International Concepts, now part of Macy’s Icons of Style, which the company says is “a collaboration with Black visionaries to help move the fashion world forward.”

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