Established in 2012 as a hub for fashion innovation, entrepreneurship and local economic development, the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator is celebrating 10 years of incredible impact in the fashion and retail community.

The Incubator, a nonprofit innovation lab providing providing business education, resources, industry connections, and strategic guidance to primarily women in the fashion and retail industries, has successfully launched over 50 local direct-to-consumer brands into the global marketplace. Many of the female-led brands are making their mark in niche categories, from adaptive clothing and modest wear, to garnering major retail contracts.

The Incubator recently launched Fashpreneurs, an immersive online education platform teaching the business of fashion to startup entrepreneurs.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle WIRLC) visited the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator inside of Macy’s in Center City, Philadelphia to learn more about the program from executive director Elissa Bloom. Program cohorts Nicole Muhammad, designer and owner of the modest wear brand Sew Elevated, and Danielle Tobin, designer and owner of eco-conscious apparel and accessories brand Elle Tobin, spoke with WIRLC about how the incubator prepared them for success in retail, as well as what other entrepreneurial women should know when starting a fashion business.