Made in NYC's Spring Fling Event Provides Resources and Networking for Local Businesses

This past Tuesday, Made in NYC (MINYC), a campaign spearheaded by the Pratt Center for Community Development and funded by the New York City Council, held their first-ever "Spring Fling" event.  This highly anticipated event created an opportunity for dozens of small to mid-sized businesses to network and showcase their offerings in front of benefactors and local policy makers.

The Spring Fling campaign was created to enhance the manufacturing and job creation opportunities throughout New York City.  Excited business owner attendees included those who specialize in artisinal food, fashion, furnishing and technology as they converged with members of the Made in NYC staff, New York City Council, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation.  In addition to these entrepreneurs, the faculty and students from the renowned Pratt Institute were also invited to get to know these businesses.

The Pratt Institute's commitment to this cause is evident in their execution of the MINYC mission, their inventive workshops and one-on-one mentorship with entrepreneurs around the city.  Attendees included Bruce J. Gitlin, Chair of the Board Pratt Institute, Tom Schutte, President of the Pratt Institute and Debera Johnson, Executive Director Center for Sustainable Design Studies & BFDA.

In hopes of inspiring manufacturers as well as business owners, the event hosted a team of dynamic manufacturers like Mama O's Premium Kimchi (founded by Brooklyn DJ  Kheedim Oh with his mom's old recipe), renowned guitar maker Roger Sadowsky of Sadowsky Guitars and international hair color mavens Tish & Snooky of Manic Panic.  As these successful entrepreneurs took time to listen and offer feedback about new projects, they imparted their knowledge about what it takes to transition a business idea from a piece of paper to reality.