The Workshop at Macy's, the retail industry's longest-running vendor accelerator program, is returning for its 2022 programming with a new class of 25 entrepreneurs and an enhanced curriculum. The program, which focuses on diverse, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises, aims to provide high-potential entrepreneurs with the tools they need to scale their businesses.
This year's five-week program will take place both virtually and in-person in New York City from April 25 to May 27, 2022. To further strengthen the program, The Workshop at Macy's will introduce exciting enhancements, including new classes such as Strategic Sourcing and Pitching for Funding, to improve the Supply Chain and Financial Management curriculum.
Michelle Wang, Macy's vice president of retail diversity strategy, stated that the enhancements, including business grants, would help accelerate the participants' success and better support growth opportunities for these underrepresented businesses. Since its launch in 2011, The Workshop at Macy's has fostered growth in underrepresented merchandise suppliers and graduated over 175 vendors, including Alex Woo, Urban Hydration, Verona Collection, Twelve NYC, Mateo New York, Fe Noel, Foot Nanny, and Eleven60.
“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.”
From May 2 to 28, The Workshop at Macy's Digital Pop-up Shop will launch on macys.com, providing participants with the unique opportunity to sell their products online and further fuel business growth. Additionally, the participants and their brands will be featured on macys.com live shopping episodes on May 12 and May 19.
As part of Macy's social purpose platform, Mission Every One, the company has committed $250,000 annually in business grants to The Workshop at Macy's program. This year's program will also introduce a Vendor Pitch Competition, where participants can present their product, business opportunity, and funding proposal. The competition winner will receive a $100,000 business grant, a partnership with Macy's sourcing team, buy now, pay later services from Klarna, and marketing support from Spark Foundry, among other prizes. Upon completion of the five-week program, every participant will receive a $5,000 business grant.
The 2022 class features 25 brands across various retail categories, including beauty, home, accessories, womenswear, menswear, and more. With its commitment to supplier diversity and support for underrepresented businesses, The Workshop at Macy's continues to create a viable pipeline of enterprises that will grow to become successful partners with Macy's, Inc. and other retailers.
The Workshop at Macy’s Brands
The 2022 class features 25 brands across a variety of 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)
