Business Incubator

The Custom Collaborative Business Incubator provides ongoing support for Training Institute graduates and other emerging entrepreneurs through 1:1 counseling, mentorship, and continuing education.

61%

of Training Institute Alumni have started their own business.

Tailored for Growth

A woman with dark hair, wearing earrings, holding a shiny silver clutch purse, standing against a plain light gray wall, smiling at the camera.

Offering a wide range of services, the Business Incubator supports emerging entrepreneurs through mentorship, advanced training, and access to resources like industrial equipment, showroom space, and office rentals.

Support spans job placement support, business referrals, and expanded financial guidance, all designed to maximize work opportunities and improve socio-economic outcomes.

Our workshops deepen that support through expert-led sessions tailored to guide early-stage business owners on topics like costing, textile selection, and client relationships. We also host programs on craft and circularity to develop green-economy skills through hands-on demonstration.

Ready to grow your business?

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Jeanice’s Story

A brown leather handbag resting on a table, surrounded by fashion photographs, glasses, and printed materials.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a beige sleeveless top and black skirt, stands in a modern retail store surrounded by decorative handbags and plants on display shelves. She has her hand on her hip and is wearing chunky black sandals. Another woman can be seen in the background smiling.

Jeanice is building with intention at every stage of her business.

A Harlem native, Jeanice joined Custom Collaborative’s Cohort 3 when she was at a crossroads, looking for ways to support her young daughter.

Fast forward to today, and Jeanice is mother to a pre-teen with her own brand, FOUR CEES, which sells sustainable wool handbags, T-shirts, and leather accessories. Over nearly eight years, Jeanice has worked consistently with the Business Incubator, gaining guidance on pricing, marketing, and distributor relations, while connecting her with clients and retail opportunities.

She routinely sells her “I Am” handbags at CC pop-up shops, including exclusive employee marketplaces at PVH and Saks Global, and cultural events like ENVSN fest. Her designs have been featured in Vogue Business and Essence Magazine.

"Custom Collaborative was my foot in the door … I already had the passion, but they gave me the skills." — Jeanice, Cohort 3

For Partners

None of this happens alone. Learn what you can do to support women entrepreneurs.

Work With Us

  • Bring your expertise to our community by facilitating a workshop. Whether you're a resume expert, marketing whiz, or master tailor, your knowledge helps guide the next generation of rising entrepreneurs.

  • Looking to hire? Connect with us about apprenticeships and job openings. Our talented network of fashion professionals are ready to bring their skills to your team.

  • Support our makers! Amplify their stories, attend our pop-up shops, and check our online store to directly support our talented community of Training Institute alumni.

  • Your support moves someone closer to their goals. Become a monthly donor, volunteer services like photography or web design, or fund a micro-grant that helps an emerging entrepreneur launch.

Staphanie, Cohort 10:

"Custom Collaborative really is that connection to, not only opportunity, but community, too."

A woman wearing a black, textured dress with a wide collar, standing against a white background, smiling and looking to her right.