Imagine being a small business owner who is chosen to have a unique opportunity to show off your products and services in front of thousands of potential new customers.
This is the goal behind the collaboration with the Detroit Pistons and Comerica Bank that kicked off earlier this year.
For the second year in a row, Comerica and the Pistons teamed up to allow 28 Metro Detroit businesses to amplify their brand to a wide audience with resources provided by the Pistons, including exposure at Little Caesars Arena and promotion through the team’s website and social media channels.
“The Detroit Pistons SHOP313 Small Business Platform recognizes the value and importance of small businesses in our community,” said Dave Sanabria, Detroit Pistons Vice President of Partnership Engagement. “Our partnership with Comerica Bank delivers unique opportunities to help small businesses grow and positively impact their own local neighborhoods and communities.”
During each designated game, seven Comerica Bank small business customers will participate. Six businesses that are focused on growing direct customer engagement will be able to take advantage of the SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops area in the UWM District Market concourse to promote their brand. And one small business will receive suite access, providing them a business-to-business networking environment for clients and prospects.
All seven businesses will receive digital signage inside Little Caesars Arena and brand awareness via social media posts.
The businesses were chosen through an application process. In addition to being able to sell their wares during a home game, they will also be invited to attend the third annual SHOP313 summit, presented by Amazon, located at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center this spring.
For Regina DuBose, owner of The Alexis Company, the opportunity was one-of-a-kind.
DuBose and The Alexis Company, a Detroit-based business, were one of several businesses that participated during the Friday, Jan. 31 game vs. Dallas Mavericks.
“I think it was wonderful,” DuBose said. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and to show the products from my business and interact with that environment. It was really exciting and really effervescent, and there were a lot of moving parts, but we just thought it was a great opportunity to be in that setting.”
DuBose has owned her business for 38 years. She began selling novelty products during Prince’s Purple Rain tour. She then expanded to a selection of various inks, embroidery, transfer applications, digital concepts, sublimation, vinyl methods, and direct-to-garment techniques. We have served individuals, schools, church events, fundraising groups, local government, nonprofit organizations, community groups, political campaigns, family reunions, and small businesses.
Another Detroit business owner featured at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 31 was Sevyn Jones.
A premiere facial spa bringing high-end skincare to Detroit, SkinBarVII believes in the long-term benefits of receiving facials and skincare treatments, while using only high-quality ingredients from the earth and remaining committed to making them accessible to all.
In addition to a wide variety of spa care services, SkinBarVII provides health and wellness treatments.
SkinBarVII is a Hatch Detroit by TechTown alum and a 2018 semi-finalist of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest.
Meghan Storey, Comerica Bank Senior Vice President and Michigan Director of Small Business Banking, noted, “As we continue to grow and expand our small business banking services, we are committed to delivering valuable resources small businesses need to succeed and thrive.
“Working with the Detroit Pistons and the team’s SHOP313 Small Business Platform creates new opportunities for us to assist business owners and entrepreneurs as they work to raise their visibility, viability and future success.”
The first seven small businesses supported by the SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops presented by Comerica, included: Dynamic Roofing (Carleton), Happy Deals LLC (Detroit), Rev’d Up Fun (Woodhaven), SkinbarVII (Detroit), Suburban Truck Driving School (Romulus), and The Alexis Company (Detroit) and NYX Cleaning Services, LLC (Ann Arbor).
The Pistons’ SHOP313 Small Business Platform is an immersive platform developed to promote, amplify and support Detroit area small business owners and entrepreneurs. The next SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops presented by Comerica takes place Wednesday, Feb. 26 when the Pistons host the Boston Celtics.