Community

Working for yourself, but never by yourself

Join The Community

Or dip your toe in for free for 30 days →

If you Crave Community + Connection…

…you’ve come to the right place. Join us weekly for live events, coworking sessions, office hours, and so much more.

community forum

Ask questions, get answers, brainstorm and grow, with founders and other small business owners who have been where you are or are right there with you.

24/7
Online

Sandbox Sessions

Coworking sessions built for creativity and collaboration. Spending focused time on your business alongside fellow founders makes work more fun. Show up, dig in, get sh*t done.

Monthly
In-person + virtual

Office
Hours

Our team is your team. Consult with real pros in real time on marketing, customer experience, visual merchandising, real estate, operations, inventory planning, budgeting + more.

1–2x monthly
In-person + virtual

Retail
Therapy

Social sessions off the couch and out of school. Come for the connections and conversation with other members and the UpNext Team. Find out how much gets done while having fun.

Monthly
In-person + virtual

See what's coming up next →

There's room for everyone in the sandbox

But you might especially love it here if…

  • You want 24/7 access to a community of fearless founders to brainstorm and collaborate with (not compete with) as you build your business

  • You are a forward-thinking founder, entrepreneur, shop owner, maker, or artisan in the retail sector 

  • You crave community and want to build a network of small business and founder friends

  • You need ideas for small changes that make a big impact

  • You want to stop stressing and hustling so you can focus on the fun while driving results

Hi, I’m Kristin

With over twenty years at start-ups and international retail brands, I’m here to bring The Retail Playground members together for meaningful conversations and powerful collaborations.

As Head of Community at UpNext, my hope is to cultivate a thriving and welcoming space that helps you turn your creative ideas into reality.

How members have grown in the playground

  • Find your next chapter

    Sarah started as a maker, popping up at local holiday markets, figuring it out one season at a time. With the right support, strategy, and community behind her, she opened her own brick-and-mortar boutique. Now she hosts monthly pop-ups in her space and creates opportunities for other founders she met right here in the Playground.

  • Your next connection could be your next collaboration

    Smita connected with Caroline, founder of a luxe apothecary brand. Together they launched a partnership that brought in new customers for both of their brands and turned out to be one of the most creatively fulfilling projects either of them had taken on.

  • Build the unexpected, together

    Looking for a vendor, Bernard found a business partner instead. He sourced custom linens for his shop and in return developed a private label candle collection for hers. Both products sold. Both brands grew. Both founders left with more than they came in with.

Come Play With Us

Try it free today →