A Star-Making Venture: The Workshop at Macy’s Gears Up for Its Fifth Anniversary Edition
October 07 2014 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
The Workshop at Macy’s, the retailer’s
minority- and women-owned business development program begins
accepting applications from prospective participants today via
macysinc.com/workshop
After four successful courses, The Workshop at Macy’s, the
retailer’s innovative “business of fashion” program begins
accepting applications today for the fifth anniversary class of
entrepreneurs who are poised for bigger retail success. In the
spring of 2011, Macy’s created this one-of-a-kind business retail
development program with the aim of mentoring and fostering growth
within up-and-coming minority- and women-owned businesses. This
industry-first initiative has resulted in a number of new vendor
relationships with Macy’s and has created a pipeline of enterprises
that the company can tap for future product opportunities.
“We are very excited to kick-off the application process for the
next Workshop class,” said Shawn Outler, Macy’s group vice
president of Leased Businesses, Vendor Collaboration and
Multicultural Business Development. “This program was created to
develop minority- and women-owned businesses that make great
products, but needed additional real-world knowledge and expertise
to successfully manage and maintain a thriving business with a
large-scale nationwide retailer such as Macy’s. Going into our
fifth year, we are truly encouraged by the results so far with a
number of graduates of the program now providing goods as Macy’s
vendors and a host more in the pipeline for future opportunities.
This program helps reinforce Macy’s long-standing commitment to
vendor diversity and to providing customers with unique goods and
services that meet their lifestyles. We can’t wait to see what the
new applicants have to offer.”
The Workshop at Macy’s is a four and one-half day intensive
training course developed by a consortium of experts from Macy’s
Learning & Development, Macy’s Multicultural Merchandising and
Vendor Development, Babson College, the nation’s leading business
school for entrepreneurship, and with select Macy’s merchants and
vendors. The specially-designed business development curriculum is
aimed at minority- and women-owned retail businesses that make
department store products and are poised to grow beyond
self-distribution or low-volume retailing. The goal of this annual
program is to help create a pipeline of viable enterprises that
will grow to become successful partners within Macy’s own vendor
community often bringing unique goods and trend perspectives to
stores across the country.
The Workshop at Macy’s allows selected participants to
collaborate with fellow aspiring vendors, gain access to industry
experts and solicit one-on-one business coaching. The course work
includes classes on merchandising and assortment planning,
marketing, EDI, financial management, and access to capital.
From intimate apparel to jewelry and cosmetics, the Workshop at
Macy’s vendors all conclude that the program helped them identify
opportunities and put into practice policies that have led to
successful and long-term growth. Psychelia Terry, president and
founder of Urban Intimates, stated, “I found the Workshop at Macy’s
to be more than just a ‘workshop,’ it was life changing. Every team
that worked with us demonstrated unparalleled knowledge about
retail and wholesale partnerships. They sincerely cared about our
business and our future success as a brand and company. We will be
forever grateful for the 700 percent revenue increase that we have
seen companywide because of the training, hand-holding and detailed
instructions we learned from the Workshop at Macy’s.” She added,
“Our company now successfully partners with Macy’s and other
retailers in the United States because of the information we
learned and put into practice during our training.”
Alex Woo, president and designer of “Alex Woo,” a fine jewelry
vendor concurred. “The Workshop at Macy’s provided an amazing
support network of industry experts and leaders in the field of
fashion and retail like nowhere else. As a Made in New York brand,
the chance to work with the world’s largest and most iconic store
was an opportunity that no one should pass up!”
Built as a long-term program, the Workshop team is in constant
communication with current vendors and past participants as they
progress through the opportunities outlined during the coursework.
Mateo Bijoux, a graduate and Macy’s men’s furnishings vendor under
the “Mateo New York” brand, referred to this ongoing open dialogue
and follow-through, when he stated, “The Workshop at Macy's was and
is the foster father of my business! It has made me a sharper
entrepreneur!”
New applications will be accepted beginning on Oct. 7, 2014. To
be eligible, an applicant must be the majority (51 percent or more
of equity) owner, co-owner or otherwise have operational control
(per applicable status rules) of a business that has been in
operation for a least two consecutive years and be its primary
decision maker. Eligible applications will include a 250-word
biographical statement, look book/line sheets or images of product
including costs, resumes on all owners, financial statements for
the business for two years, fall within the minority- and
women-owned definition of the program and provide verification of
the business as a legal entity (i.e. Corporation, LLC, etc.), among
other requirements. Applications must be submitted online or
postmarked by Feb. 1, 2015 by 11:59pm EST. All information
including full program requirements are available online at
www.macysinc.com/workshop. All eligible applications will be
reviewed and select applicants will be asked to attend an in-person
interview. Final selections will be made after all prospective
candidates are interviewed. The program will take place in New York
City in late April/early May of 2015.
For more information on The Workshop at Macy’s, please visit
www.macysinc.com/workshop.
About Macy’s
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M),
delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at
approximately 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more
than 100 international destinations through its leading online
store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and
social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including
the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him,
her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of
July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as
spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and
celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald
Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State
Street in Chicago, Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in
southern California -- are known internationally and leading
destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year
tradition, and with the collective support of customers and
employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local
and national charities giving more than $70 million each year to
help make a difference in the lives of our customers.
For Macy’s media materials, including images and contacts,
please visit our online pressroom at macys.com/pressroom.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20141007005696/en/
Macy'sOrlando Veras, 646-429-7450Orlando.Veras@macys.com
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