Knitting industry events are a great way for designers, instructors, yarn and accessory makers to meet and get to know each other in real life. They can be important for sales, name recognition, getting featured in magazines and more.
But the barriers for entry are high for many small business owners. Booth space is expensive, as is travel to events, getting goods to the venue and more.
Vogue Knitting Live recently launched a program to make it a little easier for small business owners to vend at their events, called Launch Pad.
The program will offer resources and support for new and marginalized small business owners, including webinars, weekly assignments and lectures, which will culminate in an opportunity to sell at Vogue Knitting Live in New York in January at a discounted rate.
Launch Pad is especially aimed at addressing problems of diversity in representation at such events, so BIPOC small business owners are being prioritized in selections. Applications are being accepted from business owners regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status (though there is a cost both to the program and to selling at the event).
Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 15, and the program will accept 20 people. The fee for participation is $125, and booth space is $175.
This sounds like an amazing program and I can’t wait to see what comes out of it.
[Photo: Vogue Knitting.]
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