It is no secret the past year was challenging for many small businesses. According to Small Business Majority, nearly one-third of minority small businesses in the United States were forced to close due to the pandemic. Lowe’s not only strives to be a champion in supplier diversity but hopes to give diverse small business owners the tools to overcome an overwhelming number of obstacles.
That is why Lowe’s is launching the next round of Making It… With Lowes, a product pitching competition that provides diverse entrepreneurs the opportunity to boost their business by being sold on Lowes.com or in Lowe’s stores nationwide.
Lowe’s started as one store 100 years ago and understands how important small businesses are to the communities they serve. Making It… With Lowe’s, hosted by Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, is giving these businesses a once-in-a-lifetime shot to pitch their product to top Lowe’s executives. John, who hosted Lowe’s first Making It… With Lowe’s event in 2020 will once again be lending his own entrepreneurial advice to the program’s finalists.
“Making It… With Lowe’s shines a light on the remarkable stories of small business owners who are often overlooked and underrepresented,” said John. “Last year’s program underscored the importance of giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to break through traditional processes. This year, as so many diverse small business owners begin the recovery process, it is even more important to provide them with a much-deserved space to succeed.”
Through July 30 at midnight PST, diverse small business owners are invited to apply at Lowes.com/MakingItWithLowes. Lowe’s encourages applicants who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans and women to apply with innovative products both in and beyond home improvement categories.
More than 1,300 products were submitted during the first round of Making It… With Lowe’s and the top suppliers received mentorship from Daymond John and Lowe’s merchants. The first-round finalist, Joe Porche, is a black physician from Louisiana who created Handle and Haul. He was followed by Christian Woerner McInnis, a fifth-generation female farmer from Alabama and creator of SoilKit. Finally, Taufeek Shah, a Pakistani-Filipino, closed out the final three with Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce.
The first round of Making It… With Lowe’s helped Porche, McInnis, and Shah grow their businesses and connect them with millions of potential new customers. They share some words of wisdom and encouragement to anyone who is considering applying to Making It… With Lowe’s!
