BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Under the "Here’s how the contest works" section, third date listing should read: "September 30 – October 14: We’ll announce our 20 finalists and kick off public voting." (instead of "September 30 – August 14: We’ll announce our 20 finalists and kick off public voting.")
The corrected release reads:
WEST ELM TO LAUNCH “WE LOVE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS GRANT” FOR U.S.-BASED MAKERS
Winner of grant contest will receive $25K and ongoing mentorship from West Elm
Home furnishings retailer West Elm announced today the We Love Local Small Business Grant contest. Designed to support U.S.-based artists, makers and designers as they grow and scale their businesses, the Small Business Grant contest will launch August 12 with open online submissions. On August 16th, West Elm will host in-store portfolio reviews in 5 stores across the country* (not required for entry) and on September 30th the brand will introduce 20 finalists and commence online public voting. The winner will be announced on November 19th and will receive $25,000, business support, and mentorship from the West Elm team, as well as a chance to be included in the Best of LOCAL Assortment available to customers nationwide this holiday season on westelm.com. Three runner-ups will also have a chance to be included in the assortment. For more information, legal rules, and to apply, visit www.westelm.com/localgrant.
“We are at the height of a maker revolution in the United States,” said West Elm president Jim Brett. “Every time I visit our stores and meet artists and makers in our communities, I’m blown away by the small-scale manufacturing and design that’s happening in our own backyards.”
“West Elm is committed to supporting emerging artists and makers around the world,” Brett continued. “But this Small Business Grant is focused on helping micro-entrepreneurs in the U.S. We want to give back to the communities where our stores are located and where we’re doing business every day.”
“We know the $25,000 prize can have a huge impact on a small business,” said Mo Mullen, senior manager of business development and West Elm LOCAL. “Equally exciting is the incubator-style relationship from which the West Elm team an our winner will benefit. We are committed to providing mentorship on everything from financial plans to manufacturing to marketing as our winner scales and develops their business.”
Here’s how the contest works:
August 12 – September 9: Go to westelm.com/localgrant and tell us your story. We want to know who you are, what you make, and how the prize could impact your business.
August 16: From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. we’re hosting portfolio reviews at our stores in Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Seattle*. These events are an opportunity for participants to receive feedback from our merchandise and marketing teams prior to applying online. Attendance at one of these events is not required for submission.
September 30 – October 14: We’ll announce our 20 finalists and kick off public voting.
November 19: Our winner and three runner-ups will be announced!
Winners will be judged based on design, originality, story, commitment to local production and depth of product assortment.
The We Love Local Small Business Grant is part of West Elm’s LOCAL initiative, which brings regionalized assortments to West Elm stores across the country. West Elm LOCAL currently includes more than 1,000 products from more than 160 artists and makers. LOCAL assortments are available in 16 West Elm stores and by the end of 2014 will be in 8 additional stores. This holiday season, West Elm will launch the Best of LOCAL Assortment on westelm.com with 20 of the best-selling makers and more than 60 products available to online customers.
*August 16th portfolio reviews will take place at the following stores. Interested participants should contact the store to schedule an appointment:
West Elm Dallas, Mockingbird Station: 5307 East Mockingbird Lane,
Suite 100, 214-821-3999
West Elm Los Angeles: 8366 Beverly
Blvd., 323-782-9672
West Elm Nashville, Hill Center: 4019
Hillsboro Pike, 615-385-1512
West Elm New York, Chelsea: 112
West 18th Street, 212-929-4464
West Elm Seattle,
South Lake Union: 2201 Westlake, Space 100, 206-467-5798
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Contest begins at 12:00:00 a.m. ET on August 12, 2014 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on November 19, 2014; open only to residents of the 50 United States of America or the District of Columbia who are 18 years old or older as of entry time; see Official Rules for complete details at www.westelm.com/localgrant; Sponsor: Williams-Sonoma, Inc., on behalf of West Elm, 3250 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109.
About West Elm
Mixing clean lines, natural materials and handcrafted collections from the US and around the world, West Elm creates unique, affordable designs for modern living. Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, the brand introduced its first catalog in 2002 and opened the doors of its first retail location in 2003. West Elm’s complete collection of furniture and accessories for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms can be found in 59 retail stores in the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK and around-the-clock at www.westelm.com. The brand also offers international shipping to customers around the world and has an unaffiliated franchisee that operates stores in the Middle East. West Elm is part of an active community on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram and a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands.
