Shopify 1MBB: 120-Day Free Trial & Complete Guide 2026 

Black-owned businesses make up just 9.75% of all U.S. businesses, yet they contribute an estimated $190 billion in annual economic impact. This gap shows that the minority entrepreneurs and first-time business owners in underserved communities don’t lack ambition. They lack access.

Shopify 1MBB aims to bridge that gap. In partnership with Operation HOPE, Shopify offers eligible Black entrepreneurs 120 days of free Shopify access, one-on-one business coaching, and a full Ecommerce Certification Program. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has helped over 169,000 Black-owned businesses and provided more than 30,000 hours of professional services.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Shopify 1MBB in 2026: what it includes, who qualifies, how to apply, what happens after the trial ends, and how to make the most of your 120 days.

What is Shopify 1MBB?

Shopify 1MBB (One Million Black Businesses) is a joint program between Shopify and Operation HOPE, launched in October 2020. The goal is straightforward: support the creation of one million Black-owned businesses across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. by 2030.

Here’s what the program includes at a glance:

Shopify 1MBB	Details
What it is	A free business-building program for Black entrepreneurs, backed by Shopify and Operation HOPE
Eligibility	Black-owned businesses (50%+ ownership) in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.
Free trial	120 days of full Shopify access at no cost
What’s included	Shopify platform, ecommerce certification, coaching, training, and community access
After trial	Transition to a paid Shopify plan starting at $39/month (Basic)
Refund policy	Subject to standard Shopify refund terms.

The program isn’t just about giving you a free store. It pairs platform access with structured education, financial literacy workshops, and mentorship from experienced coaches. For first-time business owners who’ve never built an online store, that combination of tools and guidance is what makes the difference between launching and actually growing.

The Vision Behind 1MBB: One Million Black-Owned Businesses by 2030

At the heart of the Shopify 1MBB initiative is a bold and important goal: to help launch one million Black-owned businesses by 2030. This goal isn’t just about numbers – it’s a response to long-standing racial wealth gaps and limited access to the digital economy.

By creating pathways to entrepreneurship, Shopify and Operation HOPE are working together to unlock economic freedom, generational wealth, and digital inclusion for Black communities.

As John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE, put it: “It could be that financial freedom is the only real freedom. Every other freedom can be taken away.”

That’s the driving idea behind everything 1MBB does.

What is a Black-Owned Business?

A Black-owned business is any company where at least 50% of ownership is held by individuals who identify as Black or African American. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations.

The numbers paint a clear picture of why programs like Shopify 1MBB matter. Black-owned businesses represent just 9.75% of all U.S. businesses, despite Black Americans making up roughly 13.6% of the population. According to U.S. Department of Labor data, about 45% of new businesses fail within 5 years. For minority entrepreneurs, that rate is often higher due to systemic barriers around funding, mentorship, and market access.

The $190 billion economic impact of Black-owned businesses shows what’s possible when access to resources isn’t the bottleneck. Programs like 1MBB work to close that gap by removing the financial and educational barriers that disproportionately affect underserved communities.

Understanding who qualifies is the first step toward applying.

Key Benefits of the Shopify 1MBB 120-Day Free Trial

The 1MBB program goes well beyond a standard Shopify trial. Here’s what you actually get during your 120 days, and why each piece matters for building a real business.

120 Days of Full Shopify Access

You get 4 months of complete Shopify platform access at no cost. That’s compared to the standard Shopify trial, which gives you just three free days before you’re moved to a $1/month promotional period.

With 120 days, you have real time to:

• Set up and customize your online store
• List products and test different pricing strategies
• Process actual orders and gather customer feedback
• Experiment with sales channels like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This window is long enough to validate whether your product and niche have genuine demand before you commit to a paid plan.

One-on-One Business Coaching

Operation HOPE assigns you a dedicated business coach who works with you throughout the program. These aren’t generic webinar hosts. They’re experienced professionals who provide personalized guidance on your specific business challenges.

Your coach helps with:

• Building and refining your business plan
• Setting realistic revenue goals
• Working through marketing and branding decisions
• Staying accountable to your weekly and monthly milestones

Training, Webinars, and Certification

The program includes a 40-hour Shopify + 1MBB ecommerce certification. It’s structured learning that covers five core areas:

1. Store setup and customization so your storefront looks professional from day one
2. Product sourcing and inventory management to keep operations running smoothly
3. Customer acquisition and retention strategies that actually bring in repeat buyers
4. Marketing fundamentals including email, social media, and paid advertising
5. Financial management and growth planning for building a sustainable business

You also get access to live webinars and group workshops where you can ask questions and learn from other entrepreneurs in the program.

Financial Literacy Education

Operation HOPE’s financial workshops cover budgeting basics, credit-building strategies, and how to find funding for your business. For many first-time business owners, this is the piece that fills the biggest knowledge gap.

You’ll learn how to manage cash flow, read financial statements, and position yourself for business loans or grants down the road.

Community and Networking

The 1MBB program connects you with a nationwide network of Black entrepreneurs who are building businesses at the same time you are. That means peer support, shared learning, virtual meetups, and real accountability from people who understand your journey.

This community continues beyond the 120-day trial. The relationships you build here can turn into partnerships, referrals, and long-term support.

How to Apply for Shopify 1MBB in 2026

The application process for Shopify 1MBB involves two main steps: registering with Operation HOPE and then activating your Shopify trial. Here’s exactly how to apply, step by step.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before you start, confirm you meet these requirements:

• Business Ownership: Your business must be at least 50% Black-owned
• Location: You must be based in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom
• Shopify status: New Shopify users qualify automatically. Existing store owners can apply but will need to move to a monthly paid plan after the trial ends
• Terms: You’ll need to agree to Shopify’s standard terms of service

Step 2: Register Through Operation HOPE

To access the program, you must first enroll through Operation HOPE:

• Visit the Operation HOPE 1MBB page.
• Click on “Get Started” to begin the registration process.

• Complete the Self-Identification Form, providing details about your business and confirming your eligibility.

• Upon successful registration, you’ll gain access to educational resources, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Click the “Select a coach” to proceed.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a coach and unlock access to the full suite of Shopify + Operation HOPE 1MBB resources.
• Once you’ve selected your coach, you’ll be able to schedule appointments, receive expert guidance, and make the most of your 120-day free Shopify trial.

Step 3: Activate Your 120-Day Free Shopify Trial

After enrolling with Operation HOPE, follow these steps to activate your Shopify trial:

• Navigate to the Shopify 1MBB landing page.
• Click on “Start for free”.
• You’ll be prompted to self-identify as a member of the Black community.
• Complete the onboarding process, including:
  • Choosing your sales channels (e.g., online store, social media platforms).
  • Linking your business to your Shopify account.
• Select a monthly plan (ensure it’s not an annual plan to qualify for the 120-day free trial).

• Enter your payment details. Note: you won’t be charged during the trial period.

Step 4: Start the Ecommerce Certification

This step is all about boosting your knowledge and getting that official recognition:

1. Access the Shopify + 1MBB E-commerce Certification through your Shopify dashboard.
2. Engage in 40 hours of structured learning, covering all the crucial topics you need to master:
   • Store Setup & Customization
   • Product Sourcing & Inventory
   • Customer Acquisition & Retention
   • Effective Marketing
   • Financial Management & Growth

Step 5: Use the Full Resource Library

Beyond the free trial and your shiny new certification, the 1MBB program hooks you up with invaluable resources to keep your business thriving:

• 1-on-1 Coaching: Get personalized advice from experienced business coaches.
• Group Workshops: Join interactive sessions with other entrepreneurs.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other Black entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
• Expert Access: Whether you need legal help, marketing tips, or scaling strategies, you’ll be able to speak with professionals.

120-Day Timeline Breakdown: How to Use Your Shopify 1MBB Trial

Four months of free Shopify access is generous, but it goes faster than you’d expect. Here’s a practical breakdown of how to use each phase.

Days 1 to 30: Foundation

Your first month is about setup and preparation.

• Complete your store design using a free Shopify theme
• Add your first 10 to 20 products with clear descriptions and quality photos
• Set up your payment processing and shipping rates
• Start the 1MBB ecommerce certification
• Schedule your first coaching session

Don’t worry about getting everything perfect. The goal is to get your store functional and ready to receive orders.

Days 31 to 60: Launch and Test

Month two is when you go live and start learning from real customer behavior.

• Share your store on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Set up email marketing through Shopify Email or a tool like Klaviyo
• Run a small promotion or launch offer to generate your first sales
• Track which products get the most interest and which ones don’t move

This is where you’ll find out what’s working. Pay attention to your traffic sources and conversion rates.

Days 61 to 90: Optimize

By month three, you should have enough data to make smarter decisions.

• Double down on the products and channels that bring in the most revenue
• Set up abandoned cart emails to recover lost sales
• Ask early customers for reviews (a tool like Air Product Reviews can automate this process)
• Refine your store’s design based on customer feedback

Days 91 to 120: Scale and Plan Ahead

Your final month should focus on building momentum for after the trial ends.

• Evaluate your monthly revenue against your Shopify plan costs (Basic starts at $39/month)
• Create a simple financial plan for the next three to six months
• Build a content calendar for ongoing social media and email marketing
• Decide which Shopify plan fits your current sales volume

If you’re profitable, continuing on a paid plan is a straightforward decision. If you’re not quite there yet, consider what changes could get you to breakeven within the next quarter.

What Happens After the Shopify 1MBB Trial?

This is one of the most common questions about Shopify 1MBB, and most guides skip it entirely. Here’s what you need to know about life after your 120-day free trial ends.

You’ll Move to a Paid Shopify Plan

When your trial expires, Shopify will start charging based on the plan you selected during signup. Here’s what the current Shopify plans cost in 2026:

Plan	Monthly Price	Yearly Price (per month)	Transaction Fee
Basic	$39/month	$29/month (25% off)	2%
Grow	$105/month	$79/month (25% off)	1%
Advanced	$399/month	$299/month (25% off)	0.6%
Plus	$2,300/month	Custom	Best rates

Most 1MBB participants start on the Basic plan at $39/month. If you’re generating consistent sales by the end of your trial, the Grow plan at $79/month gives you five staff accounts and lower transaction fees.

How to Cancel or Change Plans

If you decide Shopify isn’t right for you after the trial, you can cancel your subscription before the 120 days end to avoid being charged.

Go to Settings > Plan > Cancel subscription in your Shopify admin dashboard.

If you want to upgrade or downgrade, you can switch Shopify plans at any time. The change takes effect on your next billing cycle.

Ongoing Support from Operation HOPE

Even after your free trial ends, you keep access to Operation HOPE’s coaching and community resources. The mentorship doesn’t stop when the billing starts. You can continue scheduling sessions with your coach and attending workshops.

Your 120 days are a foundation. What you build on top of it is up to you.

Success Stories: Black Entrepreneurs Who Used Shopify 1MBB

The best way to understand what 1MBB can do is to look at the people who’ve actually used it.

CurlMix: From Kitchen Experiments to $23 Million in Sales

Kim Lewis started CurlMix making natural hair products in her kitchen. The brand now generates over $23 million in annual sales and reached a pre-investment valuation of $25.5 million. CurlMix used Shopify as its ecommerce platform and credited programs like 1MBB with providing the community and educational resources that helped the company scale from a small direct-to-consumer brand to a nationally recognized business.

Alexia J. Hogan: Mental Health Over Everything

Alexia discovered 1MBB through Operation HOPE, describing it as “literally the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Her e-commerce storefront, offering quality apparel and self-care tools, thrives with the support of 1MBB and Shopify. She emphasizes the program’s unmatched value in nurturing her business’s growth and sustainability.

For Black entrepreneurs, these hurdles are often compounded by systemic barriers, making the likelihood of business failure disproportionately higher compared to other groups (US Dept of Labor data indicates 45% of new businesses fail within five years). The idea of turning passion into a polished, profitable e-commerce brand can feel overwhelming when you’re navigating it all alone.

What achievements?

• Seamless Store Launch
• Strategic Growth
• Sustainable Business
• Increased Confidence

Key Lessons Learned:

• Support is Key
• Focus on Passion
• Think Long-Term

Keith Walker: Roller Skate Detroit

Before joining Shopify 1MBB, Keith — the founder of Roller Skate Detroit — likely faced common challenges that come with running a niche small business. Without strong digital tools, it’s tough to grow a passionate community. He probably had to juggle event planning, class sign-ups, and merchandise sales, all while relying on local word-of-mouth.

As a result, reaching a broader audience was challenging, and manual processes may have hindered his progress. Additionally, without advanced marketing tools, it was more challenging to scale the impact of his work.

Keith leveraged 1MBB’s resources to elevate his roller skating business. The program’s support helped him expand his offerings and reach, demonstrating its effectiveness in assisting businesses across various sectors.

What achievements?

• Business Elevation
• Expanded Offerings
• Increased Reach
• Sector Versatility

Key Lessons Learned:

• Leverage Resources
• Expand Your Vision
• Program Adaptability
• Digital is Key for Niche

Pros and Cons of Shopify 1MBB

No program is perfect for everyone. Here’s an honest breakdown.

Pros:

• 120-day free trial gives you four full months to build and test your store with zero financial risk
• Dedicated coaching from Operation HOPE provides personalized guidance
• 40-hour ecommerce certification builds real skills and adds credibility
• Community access connects you with thousands of other Black entrepreneurs
• Financial literacy training fills a critical knowledge gap
• Ongoing mentorship continues even after the trial period ends

Cons:

• Limited geographic availability (U.S., Canada, U.K. only)
• Must select monthly billing (annual plans don’t qualify)
• Pricing after trial can add up (Basic starts at $39/month)
• Requires time commitment (certification alone is 40 hours)
• 50% Black ownership requirement

For minority entrepreneurs who qualify and are willing to invest the time, the pros significantly outweigh the cons.

Tips to Maximize Your Shopify 1MBB Experience

• Treat the trial seriously from day one
• Attend every coaching session and workshop
• Build your email list early
• Engage with the 1MBB community
• Improve your product pages

Final Thoughts

Shopify 1MBB gives Black entrepreneurs something that’s genuinely hard to find elsewhere: a free ecommerce platform combined with real business coaching and a supportive community. The 120-day trial removes the financial barrier, the certification builds practical skills, and the mentorship provides the personalized guidance that makes the difference between launching and lasting.

Over 169,000 Black-owned businesses have already used the program. Whether you’re a first-time business owner with a product idea or a minority entrepreneur looking to take an existing business online, the resources are there.

Shopify 1MBB: FAQs