New York – The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and Jewelers of America (JA) have announced the launch of the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP), a mentorship program for new retailers to build and sustain a successful business in the jewellery industry.
The workshop curriculum, led by a variety of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), will cover business topics such as business strategy, human resources and operations, product development and jewellery forensics, accounting, marketing and sales, legal, insurance and security, manufacturing and ethical sourcing.
BIJC and JA are currently accepting applications from SMEs until 14 September. Experts will be responsible for designing and delivering a one-to-two-hour interactive workshop and mentoring participants throughout the eight-month programme. Grants of up to $1,000 are available.
The application and eligibility requirements are available on the JA website.
Applications for retail participants will open shortly. A cohort of five jewellery entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in the programme.
“BIJC is committed to ensuring that our members have access to opportunities and education that will help them build businesses that are ‘built to last’, and this partnership with JA will provide EJAP participants with access to subject matter experts who will help them do just that,” said BIJC President Annie Doresca.
At the end of the programme, participants will give a presentation on how they will apply what they have learned to their business. A grant of $5,000 will be awarded to one participant and $1,250 to each of the other four.
Participants will continue to receive regular check-in calls, quarterly workshops and invitations to future industry events.
“Jewelers of America is committed to continually advancing the jewellery industry by providing the tools retailers need to be pillars for confident and savvy jewellery consumers,” said JA President David Bonaparte.
“We are proud to partner with the BJIC on this important programme and look forward to finalising the programme curriculum.”
EJAP is supported by the JCK Industry Support Fund.
