The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Exhibit features businesses
Home Based Business Expo a place to shine for Milan merchants
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 15, 2007
Networking, sharing, recruiting and promoting were the name of the game Monday at the annual Home Based Business Expo held at Main Street IX in downtown Milan.
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Twenty-eight businesses exhibited during the five-hour show that attracted shoppers, other business owners and local residents.
The expo was sponsored by the Home Based Business Coalition, an extension of the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce.
A variety of industries were represented, from home decor and skin care to office equipment and insurance.
Founded three years ago, the coalition's mission is to encourage the development of home-based business owners, providing educational and informational speakers and promoting networking and successful business development.
Christine Mann, a member of the coalition, owns Proforma First Place Marketing in Milan and helped organize Monday's event.
"Over half of our exhibitors are new to the expo this year. This is a great atmosphere and we are right here on Main Street," she said during the event.
Rodney Hill is an illustrator who works from his home studio in Milan.
"I think working from home gives me the opportunity for a very direct approach to customer service," he said. "I appreciate the chance to join an expo like this as it gives me a chance promote myself, get out into the public with my business and help the community grow."
Mary Schifano is a director for Jockey Person to Person, a new home-based direct sales business for under garments and activewear. She came to the Milan expo to meet prospective business owners for Jockey.
"Milan and the surrounding area are wide open for our business," she said. "Here, even in our Michigan economy, women are still looking to book parties and buy quality products."
Schifano was talking to Jacqueline Feliciano about becoming a representative. Feliciano was sitting at the adjoining table for her business, called Inspired.
"This sounds like a great opportunity, too," Felciano said about Jockey. "I also just became Michigan's only rep for Oney, a company that makes handbags from the fabrics and specifications shoppers chose at a home party."
Kristina Walker's business, Chu's Pearls, has been a successful home-based operation for three years and she depends on events like Monday's expo to promote her line, which changes every two weeks.
"This sort of event is key to my business," she said.
The Home Based Business Coalition meets the fourth Thursday of each month. The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Main Street IX. Call 439-2904 for more information.
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