West Elm Launches Small Business Grant Contest

Home furnishings retailer West Elm, is launching its “We Love Local Small Business Grant” contest, which was designed to support U.S.-based artists and designers as they work on developing their products and growing their business.

The small business grant contest will continue through September 9, with online submissions. Winners will be judged based on design, originality, story, commitment to local production and depth of product assortment.

On August 16, West Elm will host in-store portfolio reviews in five stores across the country. The store will also will introduce 20 finalists and commence online public voting on September 20. The winner will be announced on November 19 and will receive $25,000, business support and mentorship from the West Elm team, as well as a chance to be included in the retailer’s Best of Local Assortment collection of products, which will be available at West Elm in time for the holiday shopping season.

“We are at the height of a maker revolution in the United States,” said Jim Brett, president, West Elm. “Every time I visit our stores and meet artists and makers in our communities, I’m blown away by the small-scale manufacturing and design that’s happening in our own backyards. West Elm is committed to supporting emerging artists and makers around the world. But this small business grant is focused on helping micro-entrepreneurs in the U.S. We want to give back to the communities where our stores are located and where we’re doing business every day.”

Source: Gifts and decorative accesories