Ulta Beauty Launches MUSE Accelerator Program Focused on Early-Stage BIPOC Brands
June 07 2022 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Leading Retailer’s Inaugural Program Provides
Retail Readiness Resources and Mentorship to Emerging BIPOC Beauty
Brands
Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest beauty retailer, is now
accepting applications for its MUSE Accelerator, its inaugural
program dedicated to supporting early-stage BIPOC beauty brands to
launch and thrive in retail. Through the MUSE Accelerator, Ulta
Beauty will educate, inspire and support participants with time,
resources and mentorship to prepare diverse leaders, founders and
entrepreneurs for retail readiness, while nurturing a community to
help empower each selected participants’ journey.
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Ulta Beauty's MUSE Accelerator supports
the company's ongoing DE&I efforts to amplify underrepresented
voices while curating and nurturing a diverse assortment. (Photo:
Ulta Beauty)
“MUSE Accelerator is another way we’re bringing to life our
commitment to diversifying our unparalleled assortment so all
guests can see themselves reflected at Ulta Beauty,” says Monica
Arnaudo, chief merchandising officer, Ulta Beauty. “We believe it
is our responsibility to take tangible steps to create foundational
industry change. As a destination where brands can learn, thrive
and successfully reach unchartered heights, this program helps us
further nurture emerging BIPOC brands and create meaningful impact
for the communities we serve, our industry and the world.”
The MUSE Accelerator supports Ulta Beauty’s ongoing efforts to
amplify underrepresented voices while curating a diverse
assortment. Launching in September, eight BIPOC beauty brand
applicants will receive $50,000 in financial support to propel
brand development in addition to resources designed to prepare each
for retail readiness and long-term success. This will include
unique opportunities to learn from subject matter experts across
various topics such as merchandising, supply chain, legal and
marketing, as well as brand founders and industry leaders’
engagement during fireside chats and panels.
To ensure a meaningful, successful experience, a robust
curriculum was created in partnership with Venture Noire, a
non-profit organization that specializes in accelerator programs
dedicated to Black and minority entrepreneurs. The 10-week
curriculum features virtual and in-person sessions focused on brand
development including:
- Brand Strategy & Positioning: An immersive,
360-degree planning session that provides tools, support, and
resources needed for long-term success.
- Retail 101: Expert training on how to successfully
launch, grow and thrive in a national, omni-channel retail
environment.
- Supply Chain & Logistics: A critical course on
planning for and navigating distribution channels to ensure optimal
customer experiences.
- Demo Week & Celebration: A once in a lifetime
opportunity to pitch the brands to potential investors and
merchants.
Mentorship is an invaluable offering that will allow
participants the unique opportunity to learn from a dedicated
mentor over the course of the program. MUSE Accelerator Mentors
Shontay Lundy, founder of Black Girl Sunscreen, Ron Robinson,
founder and CEO of BeautyStat, Desirée Rogers, CEO of BLK/OPL and
Julissa Prado, founder and CEO of Rizos Curls, are among the
diverse industry-leaders who have successfully built brands. They
are graciously offering their time and expertise to help this next
generation of beauty leaders.
“Having built and launched a brand from concept to aisle, I
understand the critical importance of mentors as guides along the
way – especially as a minority navigating new territories,” said
Shontay Lundy, founder and CEO, Black Girl Sunscreen. “I was
fortunate to have had such support and honored to have the
opportunity to pay it forward through Ulta Beauty’s MUSE
Accelerator.”
Ulta Beauty is now accepting applications for the 2022 MUSE
Accelerator cohort, with selections to be announced September 2022.
Eligible early-stage BIPOC brands are encouraged to apply today by
visiting ulta.com/muse-accelerator for guidelines and to learn more
about the program. The deadline to submit is June 30th at 11:59pm
CT.
About Ulta Beauty
At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful.
Ulta Beauty is the largest U.S. beauty retailer and the premier
beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products,
hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company
reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to
shop for beauty – bringing together all things beauty, all in one
place. Today, Ulta Beauty operates more than 1,300 retail stores
across 50 states and also distributes its products through its
website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social
content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.
Ulta Beauty was recently added to the Bloomberg Gender Equality
Index, which tracks the financial performance of public companies
committed to supporting gender equality through policy development,
representation, and transparency. More information about Ulta
Beauty’s corporate responsibility efforts can be found at
https://ulta.com/investor/esg.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220607005335/en/
Eileen Ziesemer Vice President, Public Relations
eziesemer@ulta.com (708) 305-4479
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