BENTONVILLE, Ark –The wait is over for entrepreneurs who submitted their applications for Walmart’s seventh annual Open Call event as approximately 850 small and medium-sized businesses received their official invitations to pitch Walmart merchants at Walmart’s annual merchandising event on Oct. 1.
This year, more than 4,800 businessesr epresenting 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and Mozambique applied for the chance to pitch a Walmart merchant, a 44% increase in submissions from last year. The businesses selected to participate in Open Call will now start preparing for their30-minutevirtual one-one-one pitch meetings and their chance to realize the American Dream.
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"As a female entrepreneur, who has been blending yummy spices for customers on the internet for years, I am excited to be selected to participate in Walmart's Open Call," said Sylvia Kapsandoy, CEO of Amboseli Foods, a specialty food seasoning manufacturer based in Utah. "
It’s the opportunity I've been dreaming of!
"Participants in this year’s first-ever virtual Open Call event could secure deals ranging from a handful of local stores to supplying hundreds of stores and Sam’s Clubs as well as Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace. In addition to the pitch meetings,the one-day program includes a series of breakout sessions designed to inform, empower and encourage business owners of all sizes. Many of the sessions will be open to the general public as the virtual nature of this year’s event make sthe program accessible to more businesses and convenient for them to participate regardless of location.
An extra-special surprise Walmart surprised several dozen unsuspecting applicants with their Open Call invitations in an extra-special way: Applicants were invited to join a Zoom meeting for their stateon Friday morning, August 28,where they were told they would receive “updates and important information” about their Open Call application. The unsuspecting business owners joined the Zoom meeting expectingtohear about next steps inthe application process and were surprised with the newsthat they had already secured their spotat this year’s Open Call event instead.
The reactions ranged from stunned to enthusiastic, as the big break these companies have been looking for was suddenly within reach.
Some of the businesses invited to this year’s Open Call include:
Freedom Deodorant, Las Vegas, NV – Sanitizing wipes with essential oils
Backyard Brine, Cutchogue, NY – GarlicDill pickles
Amboseli Food, LLC, Layton, UT – Tangy Sumac Spice Seasoning
Semper Fi Veterans, LLC, Exton, PA – Free Range Duck Eggs
Lick You Silly Pet Products, Glen Ridge, NJ –Premium All-Natural Beef Liver Dog Treats
Cat in a Box, Ashland, MA – Cat furniture A commitment to American jobs
