People sometimes turn to the city or bigger centres to do their shopping, but lots of home-based businesses offer the same goods right in St. Paul or in the area, says Natasha Lynn Gelinas, adding this is why she decided to stage a home-based business show for this Saturday at the Centennial Seniors Centre.
She said she and a friend were talking about local shopping, when she decided to attack the issue by organizing the trade show. “Why not support more of our community . . . and help other people sell their home-based business?” she asks.
She and a couple of friends have been promoting the event heavily, through advertising, posters and Facebook, in the hopes of seeing lots of people come out and check out the vast array of products on offer, including spices for cooking, handbags, decorated cakes, hats, jewelry and more.
“I am actually shocked by how many people were willing to come out and contact me,” she said with a laugh, adding she even had to turn people down since there were multiple requests for booths featuring the same business. However, she kept several names in the hopes she will be able to organize another trade show in Elk Point next month.
The show will also give her a venue to promote her own home-based businesses as someone who sells Jockey Person to Person clothing and Tupperware products, while putting her in touch with new people in the community. As she explains, “I’m still new (to the community), I don’t know that many people.” She hopes the show will be a great way for vendors and shoppers to connect.
As of last Wednesday, all but three of the 40 tables were booked by people from St. Paul and the immediate area, with only one vendor coming from Bonnyville, said Gelinas. She urged people to come out and find out about the great products available in their own backyard.
The home business show is on Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centennial Seniors Centre.
