RESET+COLLAB AND BREAKFAST LUNCH & DINNER ARE MAKING IT EASIER TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FLOOR-PLAN RETAIL INCUBATOR.
For many, starting your own business is the quintessential American Dream. However, the road to entrepreneurship can be narrow, leaving many behind. Without the proper support, resources and funding, it can be hard to make your dream a reality. However, reSET Collab is making the path to entrepreneurship more equitable. In partnership with Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a Hartford-based community activation studio, the Floor-Plan Retail Business Incubator provides much-needed support and education to retail businesses in the early stage of their journey. Now in its fifth year, the three-month program is invaluable in helping participants develop business acumen and understand consumer needs, crucial legal and financial topics as well as new market opportunities. Oftentimes, critical business knowledge is gate kept, reserved for those with higher education, connections or a trust fund. The Floor-Plan Retail Business Incubator breaks down barriers, allowing all who are motivated and hungry to gain important industry insight, develop sound business strategies and more importantly, join a supportive and uplifting community.
Reflecting on the services the Incubator provides, Hendrick Xiong, founder of Bok Choy Studios LLC and member of the 2025 Business Incubator cohort shares, “As my cohort has business owners in various stages of the actualization of their business, there are resources that are beneficial to everyone throughout the program. Additionally, this program has presented countless networking opportunities with business owners and mentors in the Greater Hartford area. My fellow cohort members are a great source of support to me as well. Our wise facilitator, Typhanie, and the rest of my cohort have been so supportive in my journey towards entrepreneurship. Some of the wells of knowledge that we covered include storytelling and social media presence, resilience as a business owner, financial literacy and accounting, as well as pop-ups and brand photography.” Bok Choy Studios LLC is a multi-faceted art project that includes community-minded graphic design services. It is also a submission-based publication series called Zine for the Hart, which showcases artists with ties to Hartford. “My creations shed light on my journey through mental wellness. By doing this, I hope that the services I provide uplift fellow creators and entrepreneurs,” Henny explains.
“I think work is being done to create an equitable path towards entrepreneurship. I am extremely fortunate to have been in this program. The resources and network that have been provided to me certainly make me feel readily equipped. During my time in Hartford, I’ve encountered countless folks with dreams and aspirations that have been left uncultivated. As a working artist, I cannot tell you the amount of times I have felt overlooked or powerless to act on my own abilities. I don’t think this landscape is any individual person’s fault rather than its the effects of the capitalist system that tends to expand on existing hoards of wealth. I feel unbelievably fortunate to be a part of this program,” Henny continues.
Participants are eligible to apply for a $700 small business grant when the program concludes. The grant is made possible through funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
Celebrate the 2025 Floor-Plan Retail Incubator cohort this Wednesday, November 19 in Parkville where you can hear the cohort’s business pitches and shop the pop-up marketplace, featuring products from the graduating entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the Audience Choice award winner who will receive a direct micro-grant, funded by your contributions and Investor Ticket purchases. Come ready to eat, connect, shop and support Connecticut's next generation of retail leaders.