Walmart offering NJ entrepreneurs a shot at the American dream

NBC’s Shark Tank has given us all some big ideas. So many of us have dreamed of being entrepreneurs but never thought that we would be able to figure out a way to have our products actually marketed and sold. Well, this could be your big break! According to a press release, now through Aug. 10, Walmart is accepting applications for its annual open call for the United States.

Walmart’s open call, now in its 7th year, is a unique opportunity for companies whose products are made or sourced or grown in the United States to show their products and have them potentially sold at Walmart. October is US Manufacturing Month, and this is Walmart's way of celebrating and highlighting some of the best that our own country has to offer. Winners will meet with a Walmart buyer on October 1st, and because of COVID-19, this year's meetings will take place virtually.

People spend years cultivating relationships and networking to try to get to the correct people who make the decisions at Walmart. This is a unique opportunity. And there’s no telling how many locations your product could possibly be in. Winners of open call could be in hundreds if not thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country and of course online.

Just one of the success stories of Walmart's open call is a product called the Perfect Granola which was discovered at one of these meetings. The company is now expanding to more and more stores. The press release also notes that space is limited and that applications are due by Aug. 10. To apply, visit walmart-jump.com.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco. Any opinions expressed are Judi's own.