The Rise of ‘Business Showers’: Celebrating Startup Milestones

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The Rise of 'Business Showers': Celebrating Startup Milestones

A new trend is emerging among startup founders – the “business shower.” Similar to traditional baby showers, these events celebrate the launch of a new company and provide founders with much-needed support and resources to kickstart their ventures. As reported by The New York Times, some founders have even received substantial monetary gifts to fuel their startup growth.

Redefining Celebration

For Caitlin Kelly, founder of Vivid+Co, a digital branding agency, combining a baby shower with a business celebration seemed like the perfect way to mark two significant life events. Kelly, who recently established her startup, didn’t want her pregnancy announcement to overshadow her entrepreneurial journey. By hosting a joint event, she was able to share her excitement with both family and professional contacts.

The Changing Landscape

The concept of business showers comes at a time when the birthrate in the US is declining, while the number of startups is on the rise. With fewer traditional milestones like weddings and baby showers, founders are seeking alternative ways to commemorate their achievements. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis of US Census Bureau data, new business applications reached a 13-year high in 2020, highlighting the surge in entrepreneurial activity.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Organizations like Makelane are championing the business shower movement as a means to celebrate women’s professional accomplishments alongside traditional family milestones. By offering virtual business shower kits and encouraging the creation of business registries, Makelane aims to provide practical support for female founders. Dulma Altan, the founder of Makelane, reported that over 1,300 business shower kits have been downloaded in 2021, indicating growing interest in this innovative concept.

Tangible Support for Startups

Founders like Thkisha Sanogo, creator of Mytaask, a project management software startup, have experienced firsthand the impact of business showers. Sanogo utilized Business Gift Registry, a platform supporting Black women entrepreneurs, to host her event in 2019. Through generous gifts, including tickets to work conferences and subscriptions to essential tools like Calendly, Sanogo received approximately $10,000 in support for her startup journey.

As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, business showers offer a refreshing approach to celebrating entrepreneurial milestones and fostering community support. With initiatives like Startup Stork and Business Gift Registry paving the way, founders have access to the resources they need to turn their visions into reality.

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