WithIt

What WithIt does

WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization founded in October 1997 at the High Point International Home Furnishings Market and headquartered in Jamestown, North Carolina, the heart of the US home furnishings industry. The organization provides educational opportunities, scholarships, mentoring, leadership development, and networking for women across the home and furnishings industries in the United States and Canada. It serves women professionals at all career stages (from students through C-suite executives), industry-aligned corporate members, and students pursuing home-furnishings-related majors, with programs including tiered memberships (Student $35/year, Professional $50-$249/year, Corporate $2,000-$12,000/year), a 6-month cohort-based Mentoring Program, an annual Scholarship Program that has disbursed over $340,000 since 1999, the annual WOW Awards (29 years in 2026), an annual Professional Conference, Education Breakfasts at major industry markets (High Point, Las Vegas, Dallas), an Internship Board and Career Center, a Speaker Bureau, and a free Internship Program Toolkit. The Scholarship Foundation operates as a separate 501(c)(3) entity under the WithIt umbrella.

The core technology stack is intentionally non-proprietary: WithIt operates a WordPress-based website (withit.org), a third-party career center platform (withit.careerwebsite.com), the Mighty Networks social platform (withitnetwork.mn.co), and standard email newsletter distribution. It has no API, no proprietary AI/ML systems, no patents, and no mobile app; technology serves purely as distribution infrastructure for a community- and event-led value proposition rather than as a product differentiator.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring membership fees (covering approximately 35% of annual budget), corporate sponsorships at six tiers (Vision through Copper) from 30+ industry sponsors including Tempur-Sealy, Serta Simmons Bedding, Ashley Furniture, Synchrony, Man-Wah, and American First Finance, conference and event registration (Member $595, Corporate Member $550, Guest $795, Student $225 for the 2026 Professional Conference plus paid add-ons), and donations to the Scholarship Foundation (giving levels from under $50 through Trust gifts of $50,000-$100,000). The organization is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors led by President Jessica Norby and Chairman Cathy Valent, with a three-person full-time staff (Executive Director Amy Van Dorp, Development Director Cathy Smith, Operations Coordinator Molly McNair) and volunteer committees supporting each program. Approximately 75% of the operating budget is reinvested into industry education and leadership training.

Name

WithIt

Legal name

WithIt, Inc.

Website

https://withit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WithIt is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1997 that provides scholarships, mentoring, leadership development, and networking for women professionals in the US and Canadian home furnishings industries through tiered memberships, an annual conference, and the WOW Awards program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adult Learner Support Services (Advising, Case Management, Wraparound Supports) (EDAAABAJ)

Keywords

• Women's leadership development
• Professional networking
• Home furnishings industry
• Mentorship programs
• Industry scholarships

Headquarters

HQ city

High Point

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from individual professionals ($50-249/year), students ($35/year), and corporate members ($2,000-12,000/year based on number of members). Membership covers approximately 35% of annual budget.
2. Conference and Event Registration: Revenue from annual professional conference tickets ($50-$795 depending on membership status), education breakfasts ($35-$50), pre-conference workshops ($50), retail tours, coaching sessions, and headshots.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial support from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Vision, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper). Sponsors provide financial contributions and expertise to programs.
4. Donations: Donations to the 501(c)(3) Scholarship Foundation at various levels (Trust $50,000-$100,000, Benefactor $5,000+, Master $1,001-$4,999, Graduate $501-1,000, Friend $51-$100, Sustainer under $50, Monthly Giving $25+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WithIt is a membership-based nonprofit professional development organization that provides women in the home and furnishings industries with networking, mentoring, scholarships, education, and leadership development opportunities. Its core offerings include a tiered membership program (Student, Professional, Corporate), a 6-month Mentoring Program, an annual Scholarship Program, the WOW Awards recognition program, and an annual Professional Conference.

Product overview

WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) is a membership-based professional networking organization offering a portfolio of programs and services for women in the home and furnishings industries. The core offerings include: a Membership Program (with Student, Professional, and Corporate tiers), a Mentoring Program (6-month cohort pairings), a Scholarship Program (awarding over $25,000 annually to students and professionals), the WOW Awards (annual recognition program with multiple award categories), and an annual Professional Conference. Supporting services include an Internship Board (job board for industry internships), a Speaker Bureau (directory of member speakers), an Education Breakfast series at industry markets, and a free Internship Program Toolkit for companies. The organization also facilitates networking events during major home furnishings markets and provides digital education content. The platform is accessed via the website at withit.org and a dedicated career center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WithIt Membership Program A membership-based networking organization offering professional development, leadership training, and mentorship opportunities for women in the home and furnishings industries. Membership tiers include Student ($35/year), Professional ($50-249/year), and Corporate ($2,000-12,000/year based on number of members).
• Mentoring Program A formal mentorship program that pairs mentees with mentors for 6-month cohorts, fostering personal and professional growth. Includes a mentee toolkit and $50 application fee per year for professionals.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarships for students in home furnishings-related majors and professional women pursuing continuing education. Awards over $25,000 annually, including a new Sustainability Scholarship partnership with ISPA offering $2,000 to students advancing circular design, responsible manufacturing, and environmental leadership.
• WOW Awards Annual awards program recognizing women leaders in the home and furnishings industry across categories including Visionary, Leadership, Future Leader, Sales Excellence, Education, and Mentoring awards. Now in its 29th year.
• Professional Conference Annual two-day professional conference (2026 theme: "Forging Strong Leaders") offering industry speakers, breakout sessions, networking, pre-conference workshops, and coaching sessions. Member Ticket $595, Corporate Member Ticket $550, Guest Ticket $795, Student Ticket $225.
• Internship Board An online job board connecting employers with interns in the home and furnishings industry, featuring categories for Business, Sales and Marketing, Technology, Retail, Interior Design, Product Design, and Fabric Design.
• Speaker Bureau A directory of WithIt members available for speaking engagements, covering topics such as leadership, AI, interior design, sales, marketing, and business strategy.
• Internship Program Toolkit A free downloadable toolkit providing guidance for companies to establish and manage internship programs in the home and furnishings industry.
• Career Center Online career resources and job posting platform for WithIt members, accessible at withit.careerwebsite.com.
• Education Breakfast Educational events held during market weeks (e.g., High Point Market, Las Vegas Market) featuring keynote speakers and industry panels. Tickets range from $35-$50.

Quantifiable outcome

• $340,000+ in scholarships awarded since 1999
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, vision sponsor, platinum sponsor, website sponsor and support partner.

• International Sleep Products Association (ISPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with ISPA to offer a new Sustainability Scholarship supporting students committed to advancing circular design, responsible manufacturing, and environmental leadership in the sleep products sector. Recipients receive $2,000 scholarship, complimentary ISPA Sustainability Conference registration, and travel stipend.
• Tempur-Sealyvision sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Vision-level sponsor supporting WithIt events and programs. Also sponsors the 2026 Professional Conference with keynote presentation on improving sleep globally.
• Serta Simmons Beddingvision sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Vision-level sponsor supporting WithIt's mission and programs for women's leadership development.
• Ashley Furnitureplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum-level corporate sponsor supporting WithIt events, conferences, and programs for women in home furnishings.
• Synchronyplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum-level sponsor providing financial support and expertise to WithIt's professional development programs.
• Man-Wah Furnitureplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor supporting WithIt and its initiatives for women's leadership in the industry.
• American First Financeplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum sponsor supporting WithIt's programs and events for women in home furnishings.
• Myriad Softwarewebsite sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20262026 website sponsor providing extraordinary support to WithIt. Also sponsors the Fall Education Breakfast and hosts the Speaker Bureau technology platform.
• International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA)support partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner offering member discounts to WithIt members through Working Advantage program.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA): Industry trade association serving home furnishings sales representatives with membership, education, and events. IHFRA is an existing WithIt partner and the most directly comparable association operating in the same home furnishings vertical.
• International Sleep Products Association (ISPA): Trade association for the mattress and sleep products industry. ISPA is an active WithIt partner that launched the 2026 Sustainability Scholarship together, and operates a similar membership, conference, and education model for an adjacent home furnishings vertical.
• American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA): Industry trade association representing home furnishings manufacturers and importers across the United States. AHFA serves the same vertical as WithIt with a broader manufacturer focus, but uses a comparable association model with members, advocacy, and industry events.
• High Point Market Authority: Organization that operates the semiannual High Point Market, the largest home furnishings trade show in the world. WithIt maintains active programming at High Point Market, making the Authority a direct channel partner and industry ecosystem peer.
• Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT): Membership-based professional network advancing women's leadership in the toys, licensing, and entertainment industries. WIT mirrors WithIt's model of industry-specific women's leadership, networking events, mentoring, and awards, but in a different vertical.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): National membership organization for women business owners across all industries. NAWBO is a broader incumbent that overlaps with WithIt's professional development and networking value proposition but does not specialize in home furnishings.
• Catalyst: Global nonprofit focused on advancing women in the workplace through research, consulting, and corporate partnerships. Catalyst competes for corporate women's leadership sponsorship budgets that might otherwise flow to WithIt, but operates at a much larger and more cross-industry scale.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW): National nonprofit advancing gender equity through scholarships, research, and advocacy. AAUW's scholarship and education programming overlaps with WithIt's scholarship program, but AAUW operates across all majors rather than home furnishings specifically.

Others

• Furniture Today: Leading trade publication covering the home furnishings industry. Furniture Today is an adjacent ecosystem participant that WithIt engages for industry visibility and awards promotion, but it is a media company rather than a membership association.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): Largest US manufacturing trade association, representing manufacturers including home furnishings producers. NAM is an industry ecosystem participant that overlaps with WithIt's corporate member base but is a much broader industry advocacy organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/share?text=Log%20In&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwithit.org%2Flogin%2F&via=withit
• Facebookfacebook.com/WithItWomen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwithit.org%2Flogin%2F&title=Log%20In

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WithIt