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SIERRA VISTA — Rose petals, party favors and Kris Brooks’ certificate of ordination caught the eye of potential clients at the Home & Business Expo Saturday.
Interested onlookers took her calling card — samples of her Jordan almond party favors and other treats, which included her business information included as a label. Local businesses, like Brooks’, were armed with prizes, business cards and samples of tasty treats to attract new customers at the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce event at Buena High School.
Brooks saw the Expo as an opportunity to showcase her new business, Events and Weddings to Remember by Kris.
The Sierra Vista Market also participated in the Expo for the first time to attract members, said Donna Boe, membership chair for the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Cooperative.
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“We know we’ll see someone here who maybe doesn’t go to the farmers market or reads about us in the Herald,” she said.
The new exposure gained them at least one new membership by noon, she said.
The Southwest Association of Black Soldiers sold memorabilia and gifts to raise money for the Black Officers Club Renovation Project at the Expo.
SWABS volunteer Ginny Sciarrina Miller said many of the visitors at their booth gave $5 to $100 for the cause.
“There’s a lot of public interest in providing donations,” she said.
The Pet Nanny, Mary Jane Mahland, attracted some potential customers with large photos of her with her clients — dogs, cats, horses, llamas and a rooster.
Her pet-sitting business caught the attention of Patti Stroup. Stroup has five dogs and three birds and thought the service could be useful while she’s traveling, she said.
Stroup also came to the Expo because she and her husband are remodeling their home. They found businesses at the Expo they’ll likely use for flooring and other services, she said.
Another type of “home improvement” was offered by Village Meadows Baptist Church at the Expo. The church advertised “Home Improvement for Families” —programs and groups they thought would interest the general community, a loss support group and their “Making Children Mind without Losing Yours” series, said pastor Mark Pitts.
Pitts also gave out water bottles with a label replaced with their contact information and their Bible study and worship times to visitors.
Though Madeline Ortega and her son Tony Ortega didn’t have any specific businesses in mind for attending the Expo, Tony Ortega said one business in particular caught his attention for it’s fascinating past — the Triangle T Guest.
Though the Triangle T Guest Ranch has a rich past — it has served as a set for western films, a prison camp during World War II and has housed guests that included Rockefellers and Vanderbilts since 1929 — it’s a newcomer to the Expo, said owner Linda Kelly.
Madeline Ortega also stopped by the booths offering giveaways, including the raffle for a free coffee maker and television from Campstone Transfer Inc.
Wes Smith, sales and marketing quality control manager for Campstone Transfer, said it was the first year the business participated in the Expo to reach new customers.
“It’s nice for the community to be able to see a face and hear a name,” Smith said.
***SEE VIDEO OF THE EVENT on the lower right of svherald.com***
herald/review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laury.ory@svherald.com
