An immersive crash course in brand and business building
The Workshop is a free, immersive program and grant opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs who are actively scaling their CPG brands.
The Makers Mindset CPG Workshop
What You’ll Experience
- Expert-led sessions: 8 hour-long workshop sessions
- The tools to grow: Exclusive resources that help you manage and grow your retail business
- Opportunities: Pitch your brand to win part of $15,000 in grant funding
Why Join The Workshop?
Free comprehensive courses and tools
You’ll learn from Nancy Twine and other industry leaders who have launched, scaled, and successfully exited CPG businesses.
Small-group networking
Collaborate and problem-solve with a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Problem-solving
Collaborate with peers and get resources to tackle your brand's unique challenges.
Opportunities
The Workshop ends with a “Pitch the Panel” session, where you can win grant funding and an exclusive mentorship opportunity with Ulta Beauty.
The Curriculum
You’ll learn all the essential strategies for scaling your CPG business.
Cultivating a Resilient Mindset
Develop the focus you need to thrive as an entrepreneur.
Impactful Marketing with a Mindful Budget
Discover strategic techniques to connect with consumers in a competitive landscape.
Financial Flows and Supply Chain Dynamics
Build a strong foundation and streamline your supply chain so you can scale smoothly.
Winning in Retail
Learn the ins and outs of retail partnerships and building your brand's presence in physical and digital retail environments.
Designing Distinction: Branding and Innovative Packaging
Explore techniques from design to product development that make your brand stand out on the shelf.
Brand Storytelling & Perfecting Your Pitch
Master the art of storytelling and crafting the perfect pitch to investors, partners, and customers.
Lead to Succeed: Building Teams that Thrive
Become a leader who can inspire a high-performing team.
Fundraising Fundamentals
Learn strategies for raising capital, from early-stage investment to venture landscape.
Meet Your Instructors
Pritika Swarup, Founder & CEO of Prakti, has been recognized globally for her impact in beauty and wellness. A Harvard alumnus and model, she has received multiple accolades including Harvard’s Lifetime Achievement and New Beauty’s ‘Beauty’s Next Boss.’ Pritika also serves as a Global Ambassador for Operation Smile, earning the Changemaker Award.
Pritika Swarup
Founder & CEO of Pratki Beauty
Brand Storytelling & Perfecting Your Pitch
Kendall Toole, a celebrated Peloton instructor and mental health advocate, channels her vibrant energy and athletic background into empowering others. A USC alum and former content creator at a major social media platform, Kendall’s mission is to inspire resilience and wellness, reaching over 1.3 million followers with her message of strength and positivity.
Kendall Toole
Fitness Icon & Mental Health Advocate
Cultivating a Resilient Mindset
Danessa Myricks, an icon in the beauty industry, launched her brand, Danessa Myricks Beauty, in 2015. Known as the “Willy Wonka of Beauty,” she creates revolutionary, multi-use products like the Blurring Balm Powder. Her work, which includes 80+ industry recognitions, continues to break boundaries and cultivate a global community of creativity and inclusivity.
Danessa Myricks
Founder & CEO of Danessa Myricks Beauty
Impactful Marketing with a Mindful Budget
Cristina Nuñez, co-founder of True Beauty Ventures, leverages 18 years of CPG investing and operating expertise, focusing on beauty and wellness. Her background includes impactful roles at Clark’s Botanicals, Laura Geller Beauty, and Equinox, plus finance experience at UBS, L Catterton, and Tengram Capital. Cristina leads investments in innovative brands like K18 and Moon Juice.
Cristina Nuñez
Co-Founder & General Partner of True Beauty Ventures
Fundraising Fundamentals
Michelle Cordeiro Grant, founder of LIVELY and GORGIE, has revolutionized industries with her brands. LIVELY, established in 2016, was acquired for $105M in three years. Her latest venture, GORGIE, quickly became the fastest-growing energy drink in the US natural channel. Michelle is also a prolific angel investor, podcast host, public speaker, mentor, and mother.
Michelle Cordeiro Grant
Founder & CEO of GORGIE
Designing Distinction: Branding and Innovative Packaging
Stephen Lasky, CFO of Briogeo, has significantly increased profitability by 600% within a year through strategic financial initiatives. With over 20 years in beauty and consumer goods, including roles at Mayvenn and Sephora, Stephen combines expert financial management with operational strategy, enhancing business growth and team collaboration.
Stephen Lasky
CFO of Briogeo Hair Care
Financial Flows and Supply Chain Dynamics
Monique Hutcherson Benoit, Senior Merchant at Ulta Beauty, leads the MUSE Accelerator, focusing on brands by underrepresented founders. Previously excelling in retail buying and consultancy, Monique is also a podcast host of the Scaling Emerging Beauty Podcast, dedicated to equity in the beauty industry and effective go-to-market strategies.
Monique Benoit
Senior Merchant at ULTA
Winning in Retail
Amy Liu, Founder & CEO of Tower 28, pioneered the first beauty brand compliant with the National Eczema Association’s guidelines. With 20 years as a beauty executive and motivated by her personal struggles with eczema, Amy established Tower 28 in 2019 to champion inclusivity and clean beauty. Her leadership earned her the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024.
Amy Liu
Founder & CEO of Tower 28
Lead to Succeed: Building Teams that Thrive
Pitch the Panel
Present your vision, get expert feedback, and earn opportunities to grow.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
- Grant funding: The top three pitches win a share of $15,000 in grant funding.
- A unique opportunity with Ulta Beauty: The first-place pitch wins an exclusive meeting with Ulta—either a mentorship opportunity or a buyer’s meeting, the latter if the winner is a beauty brand.
- Expert feedback: Sharpen your business model, strategy, and investor pitch with insights from experts.
- Visibility for your brand: Pitches will be showcased on the Makers Mindset platform to help amplify your brand’s presence.
Mark Your Calendar
If you’re selected, you’ll be required to confirm attendance to each of the below dates.
Applications open
March 3, 2025
Application deadline
March 31, 2025
Participants selected
April 11, 2025
Workshop sessions
1-hour workshop sessions will be held every Tuesday and Thursday.
April 21 to May 16, 2025
Pitch the Panel
May 29, 2025
FAQs
Have a different question? Reach out to us directly here.
What stage of entrepreneurship do I need to be in?
The Makers Mindset Workshop is primarily intended for early-stage entrepreneurs focused on scaling their businesses. While pre-launch founders are welcome to apply, we’ll give priority to businesses that are already generating revenue.
How will you choose participants?
The Makers Mindset panel will review applications based on eligibility criteria, your business’s current stage and annual revenue, your goals for the workshop, and your ability to attend all sessions, including Pitch the Panel. We use a standardized rubric to ensure a fair and objective selection process.
Can I apply if my business isn’t in the CPG industry?
No, this program is specifically for businesses within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. We’re only considering CPG businesses in the beauty, food, beverage, pet, tech goods, or home goods sectors.
Are the Workshop sessions recorded?
Yes, we record all sessions and share them privately with participants. We don’t make these recordings public or distribute them outside of the Workshop cohort.
How many Pitch the Panel winners are there, and what are the prize amounts?
There will be three winners. Each will receive $5,000. First place will also win an exclusive meeting with Ulta Beauty. If the winning brand is in the beauty industry, the founder will receive a buyer’s meeting with Ulta. If it’s in another industry, the winner will get an exclusive mentorship opportunity with Ulta.
What if I’m accepted but can’t attend a workshop session?
Once you’re accepted, attendance at all sessions is required. If you have an urgent issue come up, we’ll get you the session recording so you can catch up. However, consistent participation is essential for the full workshop experience.