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The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide retail jewelry entrepreneurs through an eight-month educational curriculum.
Those interested in applying for the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program can submit their applications now through Nov. 22.
New York—Jewelers of America and the Black in Jewelry Coalition are now accepting applications for the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP).
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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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