Retail Sales Support Intern
About the job
- The internship begins August 31, 2015, ends December 11, 2015, and qualifies for class credit.
- Research and propose potential retail brand partners to represent Akola products.
- Manage the Salesforce customer relationship management system.
- Provide interpersonal support for retailers.
- Participate in retail events to increase Akola brand exposure.
- Manage retail inventory.
About the company
Akola Project is a jewelry brand that sources its products from Uganda, employing nearly 200 women in Jinja who are largely from rural communities. Each piece is handcrafted using local, high-quality materials, and the sale of every piece is tied to improving a woman’s life and her family’s situation. The company’s product works by providing dignified employment and living wages to its artisans, who create bold, layered jewelry that reflects strength and femininity. What sets Akola apart from competitors is its explicit social mission: a female-founded, female-led organization that integrates economic empowerment with local craftsmanship, backed by a scalable impact model and recognition from the National Retail Federation as shaping the future of retail. Akola’s goal is to empower women to transform their lives and their communities by building a female-empowered workforce that contributes to Africa’s economic development.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Dallas, Texas
Founded
2004
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Akola’s 2026 website still markets active collections and direct-to-consumer shopping.
- Updated 2026 pages confirm continued manufacturing for nearly 200 Ugandan women.
- The impact-jewelry story still supports premium pricing with mission-driven buyers and retailers.
What critics are saying
- Akola shows little recent funding, hiring, or partnership momentum beyond website updates.
- Production stays concentrated in Jinja, Uganda; one factory disruption stops supply.
- The brand leans on discounting and direct online sales, pressuring margins into 2026.
What makes Akola Project unique
- Akola employs nearly 200 women in Jinja, Uganda, making handcrafted jewelry.
- DFC funded Akola with a $5 million loan for Ugandan factory expansion.
- Akola combines impact manufacturing with globally inspired, women-led branding and retail positioning.
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