Nonprofit Offers Training for Fashion Industry

Free training for entrepreneurs in the fashion industry is available at the nonprofit Fashion Business Incubator in downtown Los Angeles, courtesy of the state of California, which recently awarded the fledgling program a $170,000, two-year grant.

For qualifying entrepreneurs--those with at least one but not more than nine full-time employees--the money will cover all or part of the cost of the program’s fashion business classes. The next round of classes will begin in January.

She estimated the grant from the California Trade and Commerce Department’s Employment Training Panel would cover costs for 250 students.

The Fashion Business Incubator was launched a year ago to help new and emerging apparel companies through classes and networking opportunities and to bring more apparel companies to downtown Los Angeles. Annual membership costs $100.

Initial funding was provided by a $30,000 grant and services package from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and a $15,000 grant from Bank of America. The New Mart, an apparel merchandise mart, provides free office space and other resources.

For more information about the programcall (213) 892-1669 or go to https://www.FashionBizInc.org.