TJ Maxx launches women's entrepreneurship contest

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Apr 26, 2017

Off price retailer TJ Maxx has announced a new program designed to help women celebrate their individuality and launch their businesses.

Inspired by consumer research conducted by the retailer last year, TJ Maxx found that 80 percent of the women it interviewed felt stuck in societal stereotypes they could not break out from.

“Last year we uncovered hundreds of incredible stories from the women that shop our stores about their unique hopes and passions. We were so inspired that we wanted to find ways in which to help them pursue these aspirations,” said Jillian Rugani, Manager of Marketing, T.J.Maxx.

TJ Maxx decided to partner with boxer Laila Ali and investor Barbara Corcoran to help change this mindset by awarding 80 women the opportunity to push themselves out of their comfort zones and defy expectations society has put on them.

“As a woman, I know there are ‘boxes’ the world might try to place us in and go-to labels often used to describe us: mother, sister, boss, friend, etc., but they don’t even begin to scratch the surface of who we truly are at our core,” said Ali.

The campaign is being run as a contest. It is called "the Maxx You Project" and opens for submissions of business pitches from April 25, 2017 - May 21, 2017. Women can participate in in-store events in Chicago and LA stores as well as through maxxyouproject.com.

Corcoran said, “My aim in joining The Maxx You Project is to help women find the power within them to take that one bold step out of their comfort zones, and help them be a little more them.”

After submissions close, TJ Maxx will select 80 women to attend workshops with Ali and Corcoran that will include customized sessions, active resources and ways to action goals. Three finalists will be chosen to receive funding and mentoring from Ali or Corcoran.