Retail Lab

The Retail Lab was established through a partnership between the Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Flywheel Foundation, and the Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

early stage and pre-launch retail business owners

Six-Week Business Bootcamp

The Retail Lab program is designed to help early stage and pre-launch retail business owners in the area through a six-week boot camp focusing on Business Basics, Strategy, Branding and Marketing, E-commerce, Point-of-Sale and Inventory, and Real Estate/Licensing.

Participants who graduate from the program will have an opportunity to pitch for grant funding through the Flywheel Foundation, and will also receive a 3-month Flywheel Membership that includes space use at the Cabarrus Center, amenities, and member benefits.

Apply Here

Spring 2025 Boot Camp

The Spring 2025 Boot Camp application period is from Monday, January 6th, to Monday, February 24th, at midnight.

Feb. 24 @ Midnight | Application Deadline

Before Mar 11
Applicants will be notified of selection

Mar 18–Apr 22 (Tuesdays 6–8 PM)
Boot Camp Schedule

Apr 29 | Pitch Night (6–8 PM)

May 6 | Graduation (8 PM)

In order to apply for Retail Lab Boot Camp, you must:

Have an early stage retail business or plan to launch a retail business in Cabarrus or Rowan County.
Commit to using the programming and resources of the Retail Lab Boot Camp Program to launch your idea.

“The Retail Lab Boot Camp was a fantastic experience. Before I started, there were so many unanswered questions. I have a much better understanding of how to market my product and grow my revenue streams to both online and retail outlets. The collaboration and insight from industry professionals, as well as my classmates, were extremely valuable.”

James Wise, Wise Earth & Iron

A special thank you goes out to our program sponsor for helping us make the Retail Lab program possible.

Meet the Graduating Cohorts

Retail Lab Graduates

Spring 2024 Boot Camp Graduates

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, fourteen local entrepreneurs celebrated their completion of the Retail Lab Boot Camp. The program is tailored to address the complex issues that arise when opening and operating a retail establishment.

Fall 2023 Boot Camp Graduates

Nine local entrepreneurs celebrated their completion of the Fall 2023 Retail Lab Boot Camp—a program tailored to address the complex nature of starting and operating a retail establishment.

Spring 2023 Boot Camp Graduates

Fourteen local entrepreneurs are celebrating their graduation from the Retail Lab Boot Camp—a program created in 2021 to address the complex nature of starting and operating a retail establishment.

Fall 2022 Boot Camp Graduates

Fourteen local entrepreneurs have completed the Fall 2022 Retail Lab Boot Camp—a program established in 2021 to address the complex nature of starting and operating a retail establishment.

Spring 2022 Boot Camp Graduates

Ten local entrepreneurs are celebrating their graduation from the Spring 2022 Retail Lab Boot Camp—a new program created in 2021 to address the complex nature of starting and operating a retail establishment.

Fall 2021 Boot Camp Graduates

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, fourteen local entrepreneurs will complete the inaugural Retail Lab Boot Camp—a brand new program created to address the complex and sometimes daunting nature of starting and operating a retail establishment.