Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition

 

TechTown Detroit’s Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition is a new, intensive, eight-week program specifically designed for home-based, pop-up and e-commerce businesses based in Wayne County, or owned by residents of Wayne County. The program curriculum is designed to strengthen business owners’ skill sets and grow their businesses as they look to thrive in today’s retail environment. Be sure to sign-up for one of our information sessions listed on the key dates below. We look forward to seeing you there!

Apply Now!

Upcoming Information Sessions

What is Covered

During sessions, action steps will be assigned. Discussions include but are not limited to the following topics:

  • Sales channels and platforms
  • Financial statements and accessing capital
  • Packaging and pricing
  • Identifying your target customer persona
  • Inventory management
  • Online presence and e-commerce
  • Branding and marketing
  • Developing and practicing your pitch

Key Dates

  • Application opens June 3, 2025
  • Application closes June 26, 2025
  • Candidate interviews July 21, 2025 – July 23, 2025
  • Participant selection notification July 25, 2025
  • Orientation August 7, 2025
  • Cohort sessions begin August 12, 2025
  • Showcase Event September 30, 2025

Business Support Includes

  • Eight weeks of in-person sessions facilitated by business development and retail experts
  • Participants have the opportunity to pitch for up to $3,000
  • All graduates receive post-graduation coaching from the TechTown team for three months

Participants must have the following qualification:

  • Have an e-commerce or home-based business
  • Previous retail activity (pop-up or e-commerce transactions)
  • Must live in or have a business located in Wayne County

TechTown is 100% committed to connecting all applicants to resources, regardless of program participation. Interested business owners are highly encouraged to complete the application.

There is no fee to apply to the program. The program fee upon acceptance is $299.

Retail Boot Camp: Brick-and-Mortar Edition

TechTown’s Retail Boot Camp is an intensive, hands-on, 12-week program that prepares serious entrepreneurs for the opening of their brick-and-mortar establishments in Wayne County. The program curriculum is designed to strengthen businesses to grow to a permanent location as they look to thrive in today’s retail environment. Retail Boot Camp has gained a reputation for supporting the launch of successful businesses in neighborhood commercial districts, including House of Pure Vin, Mama Coo’s Boutique, Third Wave Music, Plum Health, Voluptuous Bien’Aime Boutique, Breadless, K. Walker Collective, Flamingo Vintage Detroit, Mature, Mongers’ Provisions, Estella’s Vegan Cuisine & Desserts, MG Studio and Spectacle Society. 

Interest Form

What is Covered

During sessions, action steps will be assigned. Discussions include but are not limited to the following topics:

  • Developing quality retail operations and routines
  • Designing impactful visual merchandising
  • Selling through virtual and in-person customer service
  • Selecting point-of-sale and e-commerce system
  • Understanding your pricing and inventory mix
  • Identifying startup costs and funding sources
  • Selecting a permanent location based on market data
  • Navigating brick-and-mortar regulations with legal guidance
  • Utilizing an architect for the design-build process
  • Developing crisis and store management practices

Retail Boot Camp Testimonial Video

Business Support Includes

  • 12 weeks of sessions facilitated by business development and retail experts
  • Participants have the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 and technical assistance
  •  All graduates receive post-graduation coaching from the TechTown team up to six months

Participants must have the following qualifications:

  • Previous retail activity (pop-up or e-commerce transactions, industry experience, or a well-thought-out or formally written plan to launch a brick-and-mortar business).
  • Must be intending to locate their business in Wayne County within 12 months of graduation.

TechTown is 100% committed to connecting all applicants to resources, regardless of program participation. Interested business owners are highly encouraged to complete the application.

There is no fee to apply to the program. The program fee upon acceptance is $499. If participant completes all program requirements, TechTown will invest $500 back into their business upon completion of the program.

Key Dates

Stay tuned for future application and program dates.

Apply now for RBC
Retail Services Strategy Session
Interest Form for E-Commerce and Home-Based Business Edition
Retail Services Pinterest Page

Retail Boot Camp is made possible with support from JPMorgan Chase Foundation, New Economy Initiative, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and the Walters Family Foundation.