Apple launches Made for Business program

Apple this week announced a new initiative designed to empower small businesses with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive in today's digital landscape. This initiative includes the launch of a special "Made for Business" series within its Today at Apple program, alongside dedicated in-store support and a suite of relevant business tools.

Beginning in May 2024, a new series of Today at Apple sessions titled "Made for Business" will be offered free of charge to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Led by successful small business owners themselves, these sessions will showcase real-world examples of how Apple products and services can support business growth and success.

The sessions will highlight practical applications of tools like iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with valuable resources like Apple Business Connect, Apple Business Essentials, and Tap to Pay on iPhone. Attendees will learn how these solutions can help build their businesses, reach new customers, and drive organizational advancement.

"Made for Business" Programming Details

The "Made for Business" program will kick off during National Small Business Week in the United States. Throughout May, six initial sessions will be offered in major cities like Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Following this initial rollout, the program will expand to additional stores worldwide throughout the year.

Each session will be led by a small business owner with a unique story, showcasing how Apple products and services have been instrumental in their success.

One participating business is Mozzeria, a Deaf-owned pizzeria based in Washington, D.C. Founded with the mission of providing a welcoming and visually engaging experience of Deaf culture, Mozzeria will participate in a "Made for Business" session at the Apple Carnegie Library. Theodore Miller, Mozzeria's director of National Operations, will demonstrate how the restaurant leverages Apple's accessibility features to overcome communication barriers and empower their business.

“To build a truly inclusive and community-driven business, we must focus on putting people first. That means adapting our technology and practices to be more accessible. Apple’s innovations have been key in helping us boost efficiency and connect with customers,” said Miller. “Whether it’s using Dictation on iPhone or iPad for speech to text in the Notes app, or enabling Live Captions for phone calls, Apple’s tools help bridge communication gaps and set higher standards for businesses in today’s fast-paced world.”

Apple Stores offer dedicated business teams, known as Business Pros and Business Experts, who provide support to small businesses at various growth stages. These experts can assist business owners in selecting the most suitable Apple products and services for their teams, facilitate streamlined purchasing and shipping processes, and help businesses leverage valuable Apple resources like:

• Apple Business Connect: This free tool allows businesses of all sizes to customize how they appear to over one billion Apple users across Apple Maps, Messages, Wallet, Siri, and other applications. Through Business Connect, businesses can directly manage their information within interactive Apple Maps place cards, including the creation of Custom Action Links that direct users to their website or preferred platform and enable customers to place orders, book reservations, and more directly from the place card.
• Apple Business Essentials: This comprehensive subscription service combines device management, 24/7 technical support, and cloud storage in a single solution. Business owners can easily manage their entire fleet of Apple devices and scale up as their needs evolve.
• Tap to Pay on iPhone: This feature empowers businesses to accept contactless payments securely and conveniently. It supports contactless debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets using only an iPhone and a compatible iOS app – eliminating the need for additional hardware or payment terminals. Tap to Pay on iPhone leverages built-in iPhone features to ensure the privacy and security of both business and customer data.