Woolies Young Entrepreneurs Prepare To Shine
Woolies Young Entrepreneurs Prepare To Shine. Young entrepreneurs, supported by Woolworths, will be showcasing their brands and selling their products in Woolies Sandton City from 22 July.
Woolworths recently unveiled the 15 youth-owned, small businesses who won their Youth Makers competition designed to help young entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. The winning brands span fashion, accessories, jewellery, home scenting, furniture, food and farming.
Each Youth Maker brand received a cash grant of over R130 000, mentorship from experts for a year, and the exclusive opportunity to market directly to Woolworths customers. Part of the experience includes three showcases at flagship Woolies stores across the country. Off to a roaring start in Cape Town, the winning brands sold their ranges at the VnA Waterfront during Youth Month. Woolies customers turned out in numbers to show support for youth owned businesses, with over 140 sales processed during the showcase.
Nompumelelo Nhlapo, founder of Gadat House and Youth Maker winner, described the showcase experience as “phenomenal”, she continued, “as someone who primarily operates online, the experience of interacting, meeting, and connecting face-to-face was incredibly profound and beautiful.” Another winner, Khaya Burwana of Agrikey Farming, explained how his social media following has grown by thirty percent in the last few weeks as a result of the Youth Makers showcase.
The next stop for the roaming Youth Makers showcase was in Johannesburg. People visited Woolworths Sandton City between 22 July and 2 August to shop the winning brands, and on Saturday and Sunday (27 and 28 July) to meet the founders! Durbanites can look forward to their chance to support young entrepreneurs later in August. Woolworths Gateway will host the winners’ brands and products from 19 August to 30 August. On Saturday and Sunday (24 and 25 August) the Youth Makers will be in store alongside their range.
The Woolworths Youth Makers competition forms part of the business’s Inclusive Justice Initiative. Understanding that the youth hold the key to South Africa’s future, Woolworths aims to empower and uplift small youth-owned businesses and improve the socio-economic reality of the youth – a vital step towards building an inclusive future for all.
