JA, BIJC Now Accepting EJAP Applications for 2025
The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide retail jewelry entrepreneurs through an eight-month educational curriculum.
The joint program, which began last year, features a series of interactive workshops led by subject matter experts (SMEs) designed to provide new retail jewelry entrepreneurs with guidance on how to build and maintain a successful business in the jewelry industry.
The eight-month program will begin in early 2025 with a cohort of six selected entrepreneurs.
Workshop topics include business strategy and artificial intelligence; product development and jewelry forensics; accounting; marketing and sales; social media; legal issues; lab-grown diamonds; insurance and security; and ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
When the program is complete, the participants will give a presentation on how they will utilize what they have learned in their businesses.
One of the participants will receive a $10,000 grant while the others will be awarded $4,000 each.
After the program, the participants will receive periodic check-in calls, access to quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events.
“The inaugural Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program was a huge success. The program’s cohort and our SMEs were fully engaged throughout the program, making a positive learning environment to generate real business impact,” said Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte.
Applicants must be a Jewelers of America member who is 18 years or older and resides in the United States.
They must have been in business for a minimum of two to five years, and that business must sell directly to consumers.
The participants’ time commitment is one to five hours per month over the eight-month period.
The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 22. For more information or to apply online, visit the JA website.
SMEs looking to teach a workshop can also apply online.
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