In March, we kicked off the latest class of our Startup to Storefront cohort, our entrepreneurship program for retail businesses. Over the next 12 months, we are excited to work with 22 entrepreneurs to sharpen their skills and transform their ideas into reality.
A key part of our Startup to Storefront curriculum is our Retail 101 course, which addresses industry-specific challenges and prepares entrepreneurs for selling their products in brick-and-mortar stores. This is the second phase of the Startup to Storefront program, with the first focusing on business plan development and guiding participants through the essentials of entrepreneurship.
Last October, we were thrilled to welcome local entrepreneur and changemaker Nisha Blackwell as the facilitator of the Retail 101 course.
Artist, sustainability expert, and business leader
Nisha Blackwell is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and the lead designer at Knotzland Bowties, an innovative sustainable accessory brand committed to environmental and social sustainability. Over the past nine years, Nisha has built frameworks for sourcing, rescuing, and repurposing discarded textiles into new wares and other goods. She’s also intentionally navigated creative hubs, accelerators, business incubators, and programs, both locally and internationally, and is actively involved with organizations such as AmeriCorps, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, ORIGINS, The Andy Warhol Museum, and more.
“As an entrepreneur who built and grew her own business right here in Pittsburgh, connecting with her to facilitate a retail industry deep-dive aligned perfectly with our cohort goals,” said Entrepreneurship Education Coordinator at Catapult, Kayla Bowyer.
Nisha developed a custom curriculum for the Retail 101 course based on her background and the goals of the Catapult Startup to Storefront program.
“I was so excited when Lachelle [Catapult’s Director of Entrepreneurship] invited me to bring all of my lessons learned over the past 10 years of being a business owner and create a series that is authentic to my experience,” shared Blackwell.
From setting the long-term vision for their businesses to talks with other business owners and online shop feedback sessions, Blackwell’s curriculum balances inspiration and ideation with practical, hands-on experience.
“One thing that I found very interesting about the program were the guest speakers, because they were already at a place in their business where we aspire to be, so it made it easier to apply the things they told us to help our businesses thrive,” noted Lemuel Harper, 2024 Startup to Storefront cohort participant and founder of the streetwear brand Wise And Wicked.
Creating a safe space for entrepreneurs
Blackwell’s ability to thrive in Pittsburgh’s business world as a Black woman brings an invaluable perspective to our Startup to Storefront class, where 99% of participants are Black women navigating similar challenges.
“Folks don’t realize how much it takes for a Black woman, a Black youth, a person of color to just show up and step foot into these entrepreneurial spaces that weren’t built for us,” Blackwell shared, highlighting the resilience and determination required to succeed in spaces that have historically excluded them.
This focus on cultural competence will inherently shape instruction throughout the Retail 101 module, with Blackwell tailoring lessons and feedback to the unique challenges facing entrepreneurs of color.
From dreams to store shelves
The final stage of the Retail 101 course focuses on transitioning Startup to Storefront participants into Retail Gallery Incubation. Catapult’s Retail Gallery Incubators, including the Gallery on Centre, provide an immediate opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their products within the local community and gain hands-on retail experience in marketing and sales. Upon cohort completion, incubation is offered to entrepreneurs at no cost for 12 months. The goal is to give these entrepreneurs a safe space to test their products and business model.
With over 10 years of experience selling physical products, beginning from her home and eventually growing into her own brick-and-mortar shop in Wilkinsburg, Blackwell brings both practical knowledge and lived experience. Her deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey makes her well-equipped to guide participants through the transition from concept to storefront and to prepare them for the real-world challenges of running a successful business.
“We’re so excited for everyone in our cohorts who is going to get the benefit of Nisha Blackwell’s experience, wisdom, and nurturing. There’s no amount of money that we can put on the value of this,” said Catapult Executive Director Tammy Thompson.
