The Brides Project adds social entrepreneurship to wedding market
The Brides Project is coming to downtown Ann Arbor, straight from Canada. The non-profit sells donated used wedding dresses from across the country at a retail shop in downtown Ann Arbor. All proceeds go toward the Cancer Support Group of Ann Arbor. The concept is based on a similar project that is up and running in Toronto. "That's the way non-profits need to be thinking these days," says Monique Sluymers, co-chair of The Brides Project. "They need a business to help fund their ventures." So far The Brides Project has taken in 189 dresses and has sold a little more than half a dozen since opening in September. The social entrepreneurship venture is ahead of its initial sales goal, about one per month, and expects to be in full swing by next spring. "I'd like this to be a comfortable project," Sluymers says. "I just want this to be a steady source of revenue for the cancer support society." Source: Monique Sluymers, co-chair of The Brides Project Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
The Brides Project is coming to downtown Ann Arbor, straight from Canada.
The non-profit sells donated used wedding dresses from across the country at a retail shop in downtown Ann Arbor. All proceeds go toward the Cancer Support Group of Ann Arbor. The concept is based on a similar project that is up and running in Toronto.
“That’s the way non-profits need to be thinking these days,” says Monique Sluymers, co-chair of The Brides Project. “They need a business to help fund their ventures.”
So far The Brides Project has taken in 189 dresses and has sold a little more than half a dozen since opening in September. The social entrepreneurship venture is ahead of its initial sales goal, about one per month, and expects to be in full swing by next spring.
“I’d like this to be a comfortable project,” Sluymers says. “I just want this to be a steady source of revenue for the cancer support society.”
Source: Monique Sluymers, co-chair of The Brides Project
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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