2013 Holiday Fair: Celebrating Women Swimming in the Stream of Commerce

On November 7, 2013, our MAZURKRAEMER Business Law firm held a  “Holiday Fair” Open House from 4-8 p.m.  We opened our doors to 10 women entrepreneurs to sell their wares or offer their services.  We had about 55-60 attendees, including Weirton mayor George Kondik and Brenda Mull, President of the Weirton Chamber of Commerce.

This is the first year we have ever done this event.  Our event mirrored a similar event held in Pittsburgh by BizChicks called a “Holiday Extravaganza”   in a large venue with at least 40  vendors).  The purpose of the event was three-fold: 1) to support and encourage women entrepreneurs in our community; 2) celebrate women business leaders and owners in our community (see power point slide from the event here REVISED Holiday_Fair_Women_Business_Presentation_-_Edited); 3) provide holiday networking opportunity for our community over good food (cookies and DiCarlo’s pizza) and a shopping experience.  As a boutique business law firm, we are dedicated to all three purposes.

We invited select vendors who either handmake their products themselves or who sell products or services made or performed by others.  I wanted to encourage budding entrepreneurs to take a chance and put something out there into the stream of commerce.  All it takes is a jump, a push.

Due to small office, spaces were limited.  Instead of charging admission, we asked for donations to the Weirton United Way.  On Friday afternoon, we donated remaining cookies and party supplies to the Weirton’s Table of Hope.

I took the opportunity to address the crowd at around 5 p.m.  I wanted to talk about how becoming an entrepreneur takes courage.  You experience fear and discomfort every day.  You sacrifice to do that which you love.   I personally thanked my mom for letting us live in my brother’s childhood bedroom for 18 months while my firm got off the ground!

Dr. Carrie White spoke at 5:15 p.m. as our Keynote Speaker.  She is the Director  for The Center for Entrepreneurship at West Liberty University (Salene serves on the Center’s Advisory Board).  Carrie is a former attorney and business owner.  She is also the Department Chair and an Associate Professor of Business Law and Entrepreneurship at West Liberty University.  She spoke about empowering entrepreneurs in our Ohio Valley.  She informed attendees all of the free resources the Center has to offer business owners.  She also invited business owners to contact her to possible appear on West Liberty’s Ch. 14 “In Your Biz” television program. See the Center’s facebook page.

Our vendors:

• —  Debbie Zagula, Mary Kay Cosmetics www.marykay.com
• —  Michalene Mills, It Works Michalene DiFonzo Mills www.wrapwithmichalene.myitworks.com
• —  Allison Yeske, DreamSkin Pillowcase and Purses  http://dreamskinpillowcase.com/
• —  Kayla Mitchell, Cookies
• —  Jackie Golden, Kendra Jo’s Bows https://www.facebook.com/#!/KendraJosBows
• —  Rachel Price, Pamper Me Collections
• —  Marsha Murman, Chloe’s Adornments (scarves, purses, jewelry)  http://chloesadornments.com/posts/
• —  Mary Ann DiFonzo, MaD Designs (jewelry) 304.797.9771
• —  T&L Deco Mesh Wreaths
• —  Bobbi Jo Domitrovich, Designs by Bobbi Jo (jewelry)
•   Kelli Poole Photography