Sally Beauty has launched its third Cultivate Accelerator Program, which was created to find, launch and support small businesses that created unique and innovative products within the hair care, hair color, styling tool and nail categories.
The program provides two winners with mentorship, distribution at Sally Beauty and/or Cosmo Prof and $30,000 worth of funding split between the founders. Finalists receive the opportunity to participate in a four-week virtual boot camp where seasoned Sally Beauty Holdings leaders provide guidance in key areas such as marketing, merchandising, legal, e-commerce, store operations and more.
The boot camp concludes with each founder pitching their business plans to Sally Beauty Holdings executives.
Previously, the program was only open to female founders, but this year it is open to all entrepreneurs.
Past winners include Peculiar Roots, Patti Yankee, UniQurl, True + Pure Texture, Curlanista and PuffCuff.
Applications are open through April 22, 2022. To learn more about the Cultivate Accelerator Program and to apply, visit SallyBeauty.com/Cultivate.
Maryann Herskowitz, group vice president of merchandising at Sally Beauty, said, "It is extremely challenging for new brands to break into the beauty industry due to its competitive nature. We want to give entrepreneurs a chance they otherwise might not receive."
Herskowitz continued, "As we continue to see the beauty industry grow and diversify, it feels like the right time to open the program up giving more entrepreneurs an opportunity to advance their brands. his change was made with our customers in mind. Opening the program up allows for more innovation and unique products that help serve our customers' everchanging needs."
Ceata Lash, founder of PuffCuff, said, "Receiving the President's Innovation Award and being accepted into the Cultivate Program was an entrepreneurial 'pinch me' moment. We were thrown into the retail side of e-commerce where we learned invaluable lessons at a breakneck pace in real-time. I can't thank Sally Beauty Holdings enough for the experience, and I hope to continue this partnership for many years to come."
