Learning Lab

Forging relationships with bigger brands can be intimidating, and for smaller businesses it’s difficult to know where to start. These partnerships can be a game changer for up-and-coming brands looking to expand their distribution channels and sales opportunities. In this interactive workshop series, makers work together over three weeks to assess their business’ strengths and weaknesses and build a roadmap to create marketing opportunities through working with other brands. This is a deep dive opportunity to openly discuss, ideate, get feedback and strategize on collaboration strategies.

All sessions will take place virtually on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Businesses must commit to all six sessions to participate.

Series 3: March 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 / 3-5 PM

Series 4: April 18, 20, 25, 27, May 2, 4 / 8:30-10:30 AM

Outcomes For Participants:

• Identification of potential collaboration partners
• Deep assessment of business strength and weaknesses
• Custom strategies and action plan for identified collaboration partners, along with methods to replicate collaboration opportunities with other partners down-the-line

Launching a new product can be time-intensive and cost prohibitive for small businesses. It is increasingly difficult to create original ideas which keep up with quickly changing customer tastes, developing competitors and evolving manufacturing techniques. Over the course of eight months, the Product Development studio will provide one-on-one support in assessing your company’s production potential along with market trends, and designing and developing new products to satisfy current demand.

Outcomes For Participants:

• A newly designed product that can be easily manufactured and sold
• An understanding of the entire product design and development process
• A greater understanding of your production potential
• Broadening of your social network by new potential vendors, clients, or contactors

Following registration, the Made in NYC team will review applicants and prioritize those who are most able to commit to and benefit from the full length and breadth of this program. Selected member businesses will have introductory calls with the instructor to discuss their product development needs, and once the group of six businesses is confirmed the instructor will schedule bi-weekly meetings based on the group’s collective schedule.

Registration for this program is now complete.

It’s no secret: B2B sales are hard. At times, it can feel almost impossible. Identifying new contacts. Building relationships. Being at the right place at the right time. The act of “selling.” Fighting to keep clients who are the foundation of your revenue. It’s never been harder to sustain and grow a B2B business as a creative entrepreneur.

This workshop is designed to address these challenges and more. Developed with creative small businesses in mind, it’s for those with limited resources who are looking to grow their B2B business. For three weeks, participants will be empowered with frameworks, clarity and confidence to give them the tools to generate leads for their business. The workshops will take place in-person at Pratt’s Manhattan campus. Businesses must commit to all three sessions to participate.

Outcomes For Participants:

• A reusable lead generation framework to find new clients and retain longtime clients
• The motivation, clarity and structure to take action on behalf of your business
• Collaborative insight and inspiration from fellow classmates
• A greater understanding of your customer and brand and the ability to use it for your benefit

**The registration deadline for this program has now passed for spring 2023