Christmas Wish List

• July 14, 2026   Get Social
• July 17, 2026   New York City Garment Center Tour
• July 20, 2026   Shipping and More with UPS 

We're making our list and checking it twice, gonna find out if your PROFIT is naughty or nice. 

The holidays are coming… and while some businesses will wait until November to panic, smart business owners know peak season success starts long before the first holiday playlist hits the speakers.

Join the New York Urban League Small Business SOLUTIONS Center and our partners for the Christmas in July Series, designed to help business owners market smarter, strengthen operations, improve shipping strategy, and prepare for the busiest season of the year before the chaos starts chaos-ing.

Holiday sales can account for a significant portion of annual revenue for small businesses, yet many entrepreneurs miss valuable opportunities simply because they start preparing too late. This series is designed to help you get ahead, not catch up.

And no, this isn’t just for businesses selling gift-wrapped products. Caterers, event planners, service providers, adult beverage businesses, creatives, and founders of all kinds can benefit from stronger systems, smarter visibility, and better preparation heading into Q4.

This year’s sessions include:

 

Social Currency
Learn smarter content strategies, automation tips, and engagement techniques designed to help your brand stand out online — without living on social media 19 hours a day.

NYC Garment Center Tour
Explore sourcing, supply chain, production, trimming, labels, and vendor relationships with fashion professional Lenese Griffin during this behind-the-scenes Garment Center experience.

Ship Shape with UPS
Get ahead of peak season with smarter shipping strategies, pricing insights, logistics tips, and technology updates from UPS Executive Robert Williams.

A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later.

Let’s get your business holiday ready, with your sanity and your profit intact.

 

 

Social Currency: not your average social media lesson

July 14, 2026 - Virtual 6:30 pm

Social media isn’t about volume, it’s about clarity. Join Charmaine Browne, health expert turned social media guru, as she shares her upward business trajectory through social media.

This session helps you define your niche, translate your expertise and lived experience into content that lands, and build authority that people trust. Walk away with a smarter content approach that actually grows your audience and positions you for brand collaborations, without selling out.

Social Currency is not your average social media “how-to”; it’s the game-changer that transforms scattered posts into strategic presence, turning attention into traction and traction into real business results.

 

 

 

New York City Garment Center Tour

July 17, 2026 - In Person 1 pm (Location sent to registrants)

Goal: Understand the product development & production process, manage costs, and build relationships with vendors & suppliers.

Overview:
- Introduction to apparel and accessory manufacturers, fabric suppliers, marking & grading, and trim/hardware vendors.
- Includes a production manual with pre-production templates & step-by-step instructions.

Ideal for:
- Designers starting their line * Designers interested in domestic production * Designers wanting to stop self-sewing

Learn:
How to bring your designs to life * Where to purchase wholesale fabric * How to create patterns, including grading & marking * Using factory templates with manufacturers * Where to source custom trimming & hardware * How to find labels & hangtags

Destinations:
Leather manufacturers * Apparel manufacturers * Pattern makers * Grading & marking vendors * Labels & packaging vendors * Wholesale trim & fabric suppliers * Custom embellishments & pleating vendors

 

 

 

Get in SHIP SHAPE with UPS

July 21, 2026 - Virtual 6:30 PM

Whoops, we are doing it again and leveling up the shipping game this time. In 2024, we introduced Ship Shape with UPS, and it was so well-received that we made it an annual event. Every year, more information is explored to help you become a shipping expert. 

Join this insightful presentation on shipping with UPS Executive, Robert Williams! We'll explore various shipping methods, delve into pricing strategies, and uncover the latest shipping technology. Whether you're a business owner or a shipping enthusiast, this presentation is your gateway to mastering the art and science of efficient shipping with UPS. Don't miss out on the knowledge that will revolutionize your shipping game!

This in-person opportunity will have account representatives and introduce other opportunities with UPS.