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Showing Them the Ropes
Showcase helps small, minority-owned businesses think big
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Business New Haven
9/18/2000
By: Priscilla Searles
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The Connecticut Small & Minority Business Showcase earlier this month provided local businesses with ample networking opportunities, a point driven home by almost all the participants.
The showcase, whose theme was “Small Business Is Big Business,” was hosted by Susan Bysiewicz, secretary of the state. A first for New Haven, it was held at the U.S. Postal Service facility at Brewery Street in New Haven.
The day-long program included exhibits by approximately 90 businesses, ranging from a company that produces haunted houses to a grip mitt company. Many participants said that the small-business format gave them an opportunity to meet with other small-business owners, an opportunity not always available at larger events.
John H. Carroll of the Essex Group, “performance catalysts,” had plenty of advice for small businesses. He gave his six rules for success: faith, knowledge and skills, trusted advisors, money, a business plan and networking.
“It takes strength and discipline to start a small business,” said Carroll. “Small business is bigger and better than big business because small businesses have dreams and big business has demands. Small businesses have wings, can fly, take risks and big business controls you.”
It was the first showcase for Sydney and Janet Evans. Retired, the couple came up with the idea of producing envelopes from recycled materials such as wallpaper, calendars and even photos.
“The response from everyone at the showcase has been 100 percent acceptable,” reported Sydney Evans. “I think the show is a good idea, but I think it should be promoted a little differently. The state should have taken advantage of all the access channels in the state. But the program was very helpful to me. I'll come again next year, if they do this again.”
Karen J. Bellamy, an insurance specialist and co-owner of KJB Associates, has attended similar events before. “The small show gave us an opportunity to meet a lot of people,” said Bellamy, and people showed their interest in helping one another. As for the programs, she felt they were “uplifting, motivating, with lots of marketing tips, how to network. More small new small businesses should get involved - even it they just attend and don't take a booth.”
Alicia Lakomski of Marquis Car Service had a ready answer for people who asked her if she got any business from the show. “It's the meeting of the people, developing relationships that are important at these shows,” she said. “And the business comes - it takes a little time, but it comes. Networking has to be one of the better tools for bringing in business - and women are really good at networking,” she said.
Said Harland Henry, director of community outreach for the Secretary of the State's office and showcase coordinator: “I think it worked according to plan. Our purpose is to reach out to small businesses in the community, and the community was well represented. We had representatives from many sectors of the business community of greater New Haven, and based on their reaction the majority were able to benefit from the resources available.”
Henry's goal is to reach several other communities throughout the state, he said.
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