They came to pitch. Now, they’re going to Walmart shelves. Three RICE Stakeholders: Sway Jones of Sway Art, Kristen Dunning of Gently Soaps, and Jon Dabney of Rocket Sports-1, have secured national distribution deals through Walmart’s Open Call. It’s proof that RICE Stakeholders don’t just show up—they show out.
From Georgia to Bentonville: The Journey Begins
It all started months ago, when Walmart’s Open Call extended an invitation to pitch. RICE was selected as their exclusive Georgia stop in June—and we knew we had to show up big for our Stakeholders. To assist in the preparation, we launched a workshop to help each of them hone and improve their pitching skills.
Nine Stakeholders, One Mission
One of those Stakeholders was Melissa Scott, owner of Loc Em Up products. In addition to daylighting as an expert loctician, Scott also sells products formulated specifically for her clients, whose hair care needs weren’t being properly met by more popular beauty brands. Scott hoped to share these products with the rest of the nation.
“We practiced pitches, they taught us how to get retail ready. That has been a big help for me.” — Melissa Scott, Owner of Loc Em Up
Even though she didn’t walk away with a golden ticket, Scott was appreciative of the overall experience. “I was one of nine people chosen out of [all the people at] the Russell Innovation Center to go to Bentonville. That was surprising to me—it was an honor that they thought that highly of my brand. That was a big deal to me.” Indeed, making it that far was no easy task, as even the recipients of those coveted golden tickets will tell you.
Dreams Realized: The Winners
Jon Dabney started his journey with RICE in spring of 2024. Now, his products—women’s fitness apparel—will be available on Walmart shelves nationwide.
“This is a dream come true. There were a lot of doubters, but we made this thing happen!” — Jon Dabney, Owner of Rocket Sports-1
Dabney reflected on the long road he and his company have taken thus far. The camaraderie and experiences these Stakeholders gained, from June to now especially, are sure to be unmatched anytime soon.
What Makes RICE Different: Uncommon Access
A term that’s used often in the Russell Center’s illustrious halls is “uncommon access.” On its surface, it may seem like a relatively nondescript selling point that perhaps points to the building itself—after all, RICE has spent much of the last few years expanding its facilities to offer more varied meeting, office, and event spaces that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in Atlanta.
However, when you take note of opportunities available to RICE’s Stakeholders, like Open Call or any of the organization’s various programs, grants, and offerings, it becomes clear that there are unique benefits associated with membership. Scaling becomes easier. Business relationships flourish. Capital becomes accessible. All this is true regardless of your background or business type.
Breakthroughs happen here often and in such unexpected ways. The access that the Russell Center offers truly is uncommon.
by Garnell Bradley
