Business Expo 2010

by
Maryann Miller

Every year the Business Expo sponsored by the Winnsboro Area Chamber of Commerce gets better and better. The 12th annual event drew a few less venders this year, but still had a large crowd of between seven and eight hundred visitors.

There were new exhibitors as well as a number of repeats, and everyone seemed to have a good time as they greeted visitors, had drawings for prizes, and networking with other business owners.

City National Bank had a clever idea for their display that included a street sign that put them on the corner of "Opportunity Knocking". Shannon Melton, a CNB Vice President and Loan Officer, said that this is a good time to buy a home of refinance. "Rates are low right now, so people can get really good deals," she said. "So the street sign is very appropriate."

For their display, Calico Junction featured a quilt that is being raffled to benefit First United Methodist Church. Raffle tickets are available at Calico Junction, as well as church members, and the winner will be drawn at the Christmas in The Park event on November 13th. Perhaps it was that beautiful quilt that helped Calico Junction win 2nd place for display decorations.

Grins & Giggles Playhouse, a pre-school owned by T.J. Stout, won first place for exhibit decorations. The school is located south of Winnsboro behind Lee Cemetery and has been there for several years under different ownership. T.J, who used to work for the previous owner, said she just took over ownership and is looking forward to helping area preschoolers in early childhood development.

Alexander Landscaping won third place for decorative exhibit.

Amanda and David Henry were first-time exhibitors as well as brand-new business owners. "We just started a month ago," David joked. "And this is our third job. We both work, as well as raise our kids, so we work on the decorative signs after they go to bed at 8."

What they make are custom signs for teens and children's rooms. "No two are alike,"Amanda said. "And we really enjoy working with the kids and their parents to pick out the different backgrounds, lettering and pictures."

Amanda, who is a 6th grade science teacher at Memorial Middle School in Winnsboro, said they never planned on starting a business. It just sort of evolved. "I had been making signs and bow-holders and other pretty things for presents they were so popular people encouraged me to start the business."

The couple named the company "A&J Designs" after their children Ann and Joey. "That way they are a part of it, too," Amanda said.

Another new exhibitor was Donnie Alexander who opened Alexander's Meat Market on South Main in Winnsboro last February. He said he has always wanted to own a meat market. "I cut meat when I was in school," he said. "And it has been a life-long dream to open a market."

Joining him at the Expo was his eight-year-old daughter, Abigail. "She's my marketing manager," Donnie joked.

She was doing a top-rated job greeting people and passing out business cards and flyers. "She's a real salesperson," Donnie said. "I gave her some samples to pass around once and she was selling them."

Abigail is a student at Winnsboro Elementary school and says she really likes to work at the market when she is not in school. "I pull out the meat for Dad to cut," she said. "And sometimes I work the cash register."

"She really is a great worker and could probably take over the business when she gets older," Donnie said, and it didn't sound like he was joking anymore.

A returning exhibitor was Arnie Porter the Community Handyman. He is pictured here with his wife, Jan, and his two children Anthony, who is six, and Annabelle, who is eight. Arnie said the Expo was great, "Just like last year. And the children have had fun going around to tables picking up goodies."

Arnie offers all kinds of handyman services and gives a discount for senior citizens. He has become known as the man to call in Winnsboro when something needs to be done. 903-316-7759

There were numerous other return exhibitors including Duncan Multi-Media and Afterglow Productions. They are both in businesses related to computers, Web design, and Internet Marketing, but there seems to be enough need for that to keep them both busy. Neal Duncan still offers his simple one-page Web site for $50 as a great way for a business to start a presence on the Internet.

In addition to multi-media solutions, Afterglow offers computer repair services and has just started a monthly maintenance plan. The maintenance is done remotely and is guaranteed. "Never get another virus or we will clean the computer at no charge," owner, Brett Burnett said. "It's the same type of protection plan people get to protect their home from bugs. We are helping them protect their computers from bugs."

Using digital technology in a different way is CanDew Digital Photo Painting by Char Doonan. She uses photographs to create pictures that look like paintings, drawing on her years of experience and training in all areas of graphic arts. She's been in typography for over 20 years and has been self-employed for 15, working for advertising agencies and businesses. "The imaging business has changed so much since I started," Char said. "But it is exciting to experiment with new technology. With everything available now, I can offer complete digital imaging services in many different ways."

Aurora Innovations is another brand-new business that started only six months ago. Frank Trebec invented the "Alpha Base" Ladder Stabilizer, and said necessity pushed him. "I had a relative who fell when his ladder slipped and he is now permanently disabled," Frank said. "If he would have had something like this, he wouldn't have fallen."

What Frank was referring to is a brace that goes on either side of an extension ladder that more than doubles the span of the legs of the ladder. The brace has telescoping legs to stabilize a ladder on uneven ground. "How many times have you had to move a ladder because you had one leg on the edge of a patio slab and the other on the dirt?" Frank said to a visitor. "With the brace you can always put a ladder exactly where you need it, even if the ground is uneven."

Frank designed the device and acquired a patent for it. He produces it here in East Texas and is looking for more reps to help him get the device into major markets. "I would love for it to be in all stores that sell ladders" he said. "That way it would be right there for people to buy when they get an extension ladder."

Val Vetter & Debra Aaron were there telling folks about their organic farm, as well as the Mexican art objects Debra has been selling for a number of years through her business Ethnica. The couple are new to Winnsboro, just moving here in the last year, but they really like being here and starting their farm. "We really want to promote healthy eating," Debra said. "We have chickens and eggs and next year plan to have pork and more produce."

People were signing up for a chance to win this beautiful Mexican sink, and Debra will pick the winner after she attends a few more shows around the area.

Just for fun, some of the ladies who belong to Slender Lady here in Winnsboro joined Leigh Fade, one of the certified dance instructors for some Zumba demonstrations. "Dancing is a great way to get in shape," Kat Sillick said. She is the owner of Slender Lady and also a certified dance instructor.

Slender Lady is a woman's fitness center that offers a variety of aerobic workout programs as well as machines for toning and strengthening. Kat also offers tips on nutrition and healthy eating. "And everyone has fun," Kat said. "People have formed friendships and come here for the socializing as much as the physical benefits."

People come to the Expo to socialize, too, and they enjoy visiting with all the exhibitors. There are always lots of prizes given away, and everyone is invited to stay for the lunch which is provided free by the sponsors of the Expo.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning.