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.

Fall 2025 Boot Camp

We appreciate your interest in the Retail Lab program! Applications are now closed for our Fall 2025 Cohort. The application period was from Wednesday, August 6th, to Sunday, September 7th, at midnight.

Our next cohort will open in the Spring of 2026.

For questions about the program, please contact Grant Colgan by clicking here

Sept 7 @ Midnight | Application Deadline

Sept 10 | Meet to Review Applications (10 AM at the Cabarrus Center)

Sept 11 | Notify Applicants of Status

Sept 25–Nov 20 | Boot Camp (Thursdays 6–8 PM)

Boot Camp Schedule

Sept 25: Business Basics

Oct 2: Business Modeling

Oct 9: Branding

Oct 16: E-commerce

Oct 23: Point of Sale

Oct 30: Real Estate and Downtown Development Panel

Nov 6: SKIP (No Session)

Nov 13: Pitch Night (6-8 PM at Cabarrus Center)

Nov 20: Graduation (6-7:30 PM at Cabarrus Center)

In order to apply, 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 sponsors, Allegacy Federal Credit Union and Bill and Debbie Dusch, for helping us make the Retail Lab program possible.

Meet the Graduating Cohorts

Graduates

Spring 2025 Boot Camp Graduates

A new group of fourteen local entrepreneurs recently completed the Spring 2025 Retail Lab Boot Camp. This six-week program equips aspiring and early-stage business owners with practical tools and insights for launching and growing a retail venture.

Fall 2024 Boot Camp Graduates

On Wednesday, November 20th, thirteen local entrepreneurs celebrated the completion of the Retail Lab Boot Camp. This six-week program provided participants with practical tools and insights for opening and operating a retail business, culminating in the opportunity to pitch for grant funding.

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.

Design Escapes