Lansing is a great place to start a business because there are 7 (yes, seven!) incubators to help launch your business, no matter the industry.
This incubator is the first of its kind in the area and supports an industry previously untouched in Lansing. The Runway is a fashion incubator that strives to keep those in the fashion industry in the area. Those wanting to build a career in fashion no longer have to move to New York or California; Lansing can provide the resources and space they need.
The Runway Opens it’s doors this Thursday, October 9th.
Founded:
August 2014
What we should know:
The Runway helps fashion designers create a foundation for their business and provides them with the resources needed to produce their collections and ultimately move their product to market. We accomplish this by providing our Designers-In-Residence with industry expertise, business and marketing plan development, a collaborative work space featuring state of the art equipment, individual office space and access to retail and event space to sell and showcase their product line. The Runway and its designers are out to prove that you do not have to live in NYC in order to make your fashion ambitions come to true.
Capacity:
Our capacity is 12 in house Designers in Residence and we offer a virtual program as well, for those not yet ready for office space.
Current Tenants:
We currently have 10 tenants
Ideal Tenants:
Ideal tenants are designers interested in starting a clothing line or those in the beginning stages that may be in need of equipment and a shared use space to bounce ideas and designs off other like-minded individuals.
Rates and What They Get You:
Price range for office space is $350-$450. The virtual, or Associate Designer Program is $100/month.
You get an office, desk, chair, access to a consultation room…
And most importantly, access to the following equipment:
Sewing Machines
(3) Mitsubishi Straight Stitch Sewing Machines (1) Pegasus Cover Stitch Sewing Machines (1) Juki 6714 4-Thread Serger Sewing Machine (1) Juki 6716 5-Thread Serger Sewing Machine
Dress Forms
(1) Women’s Dress Form w/ legs [up to size 12] (1) Women’s Dress Form w/ stand [up to size 12] (1) Men’s Dress Form w/ legs [up to size 42] (1) Men’s Dress Form w/ stands [up to size 42]
Cutting Tables and Tools
(4) 5’ x 8’ Cutting Tables (2) 5’ x 8’ Cutting Mats
Technology
(1) Calcomp Roll Up Digitizer with 16-button cursor 36” x 48” (1) 1800CZ Velocity Plotter – 72” (1) DCS1500 Gerber CNC Sample Cutting Machine – dimensions 10’ x 8’ (1) MAC Desktop (1) PC Desktop
Miscellaneous
(2) Pressing tables with gravity fed, steam irons
Additional Amenities:
The amenities offered at The Runway are a consultation room, a kitchenette / break area. This room located on the mezzanine floor of The Runway will serve as a space to host client meetings and offers equipment to put on a presentation as well as a dressing room and 3-way mirror for fittings.
This room includes:
Mounted 42” flat screen TV (configured w/ Apple TV box) AV / HDMI for presentations Small table and (2) chairs for client meeting Dressing room 3-way mirror for fittings
What Sets You Apart:
The Runway is special because of the access to our Retail Showroom. This is where designers in the incubator can showcase their products for sale. We will also be carrying other local designers and Michigan based brands.
We also have Jeff Henry, our onsite business consultant, available to work with the Designers In Residence and Associate Designers to provide industry expertise and guidance. He is a great resource and helped bring The Runway to life. He now consults with those individuals participating in the program.
Exciting Future:
The Runway will help emerging designers grow their brand and product lines in Lansing and build a supply chain for the acceleration of the apparel industry in the Lansing region. We support the new economy of entrepreneurs in this area and this platform serves many purposes, including retaining and attracting talent coming out of our local universities. You don’t have to move across the country to launch a successful fashion line, you now have the resources to do it right here.
For those interested in getting office space or learning more about the program, please contact: Quin D. Stinchfield, Business Incubator Manager, LEAP 517-230-2942.
