In honor of International Woman’s Day 2022, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) partnered with the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) and its Center for Entrepreneurship to identify a minority, women-owned Los Angeles business located at a West-field center to provide a grant, retail space, and digital media exposure. In the United States, only 2.4% of retail businesses are Black-owned and URW and LAUL want to help increase that number.
Sweat Grind Hustle (SGH) was selected as the grant recipient, an athleisure lifestyle brand that is disrupting and redefining casual wear. SGH co-founders (mother and daugh-ter Lakeisha and Katelyn Jackson) made history when they were recognized for being the first African American mother and daughter-owned store in Westfield Topanga.
With the popularity of the original line of “She’s Got Hustle” t-shirts plus the demand for athleisure during the pandemic, Lakeisha and Katelyn decided to branch out to include men’s and women’s workout wear and rebranded as “Sweat, Grind, Hustle.” The feel-good brand focuses on serving individuals who are movers and shakers, risk-takers, and goal-getters. This innovative partnership with URW and LAUL provided SGH with access to capital and business opportunities including a significant grant to SGH to invest in inventory and operations; three months of prime retail space for a pop-up store at Westfield Century City, one of LA’s most prominent luxury venues, which would greatly expand the reach and visibility of SGH; and other marketing and business guidance.
The partnership between LAUL and URW offered tremendous business support to SGH in a bid to accelerate the business’ growth and enhance its long-term success.
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