Pipestone Flyer
On Saturday June 9, several months of hard and creative work came to fruition for Leduc resident Jennifer Zimmer and her business partner, Judy Pieters, when the doors opened to the first OUR HOME TO YOURS tradeshow in the City of Leduc.
The name itself might offer a hint as to the nature of this tradeshow: it was a gathering of artisans and consultants for creative, financial, health and food home businesses. The fifty exhibitors and the steady flow of visitors showed that simple marketing had done its duty, and that shopping and a close look at home businesses were a popular activity on this stormy afternoon.
At the Tradeshow’s main entrance, a congenial exhibitor took on impromptu greeting duties: Jenny Grant, a Leduc mom and artist, is now a passionate ‘stylist’ for STELLA & DOT, a line of splendid jewelry. Proudly showing off her glitzy collection with the help of Christina Rifo, Jenny’s booth was located near two other friendly and cheerful ladies promoting their own business: THE ASSISTANTS is a pair of experienced Legal and Admin workers who rent their services to companies who will choose to use them, rather than look up a more traditional temp service. Energy and friendliness pouring out of them, Carrie Boudy and Julie Geldart seem to be the fun & skilled temps any business would be lucky to secure, even for a short period! They are both Rollyview residents who have received some very positive feedback about their new enterprise.
Having worked diligently to gather some dynamic exhibitors for this first-time tradeshow, Jennifer and Judy are also busy homemakers and business consultants who work in the Health Industry. Jennifer represents a revolutionary product that’s been the talk of the town in recent months: “IT WORKS” is a line of wraps that are applied to the body, disintegrating the fat cells that will be flushed with increased water consumption. A wife and mother of three, also a home care worker, Jennifer was happy to partner with a PEI native who had created a similar tradeshow in her ‘home ‘province’: Judy is a petite dynamo who represents HERBALIFE and managed to find the time to help plan and organize this tradeshow in Leduc. (For our younger readers, Herbalife has been creating and promoting weight-loss and nutrition herbal products for approximately 32 years).
A Leduc daughter, Heather Mahood (formerly assisting her mom Carol at Leduc Trophies) is now a mom of three and a ‘Play Stylist” for PEEKABOO BEANS, a manufacturer of “playwear for kids on the grow”. A Drayton Valley couple, Jo-Ann and Mahlon Kitching, were articulate and dynamic in promoting their business SPARKLE TATTOO Inc., a fascinating concept of temporary tattoos that is a significant profit-generating business, with a “Business Kit” that is purchased by charities, high school grads and other fundraising ventures! (a friendly tip: they are offering this business opportunity to interested parties!). CHOCO-LICIOUS and My Purse Obsessions had friendly reps dealing with the obvious, while cheerful Chelly Hamilton had a lovely exhibit, and remains Leduc’s MARY KAY princess.
Well, in regards to shopping and home businesses, you have to include Art. Two lovely artists showcased their colorful and fascinating stained glass collection. TWO PANES IN THE GLASS are Bev and Holly, both from Spruce Grove: their art is truly awesome, and surprisingly priced. NEEDFUL THINGS’s owners Patti Keeping and Tammy Davis are Leduc residents who cater to the “decorating connoisseurs”: their inspiring, funny and sweet woodwork creations were selling like hotcakes. Lisa Smithson is a Leduc artist created a huge collection of jewelry and fun items made from Lego. MOL GIFTS & MORE’s keychains, rings, necklaces and personal designs were quite an attraction at this trade-show, and we suspect this craze will go far beyond Leduc!
In business for several years now, Karen Wozney is “the Shoe lady”. Her “TWILIGHT GIFTS” home business is ‘a traveling boutique’. She is a ‘retailer’ at the Glenrose Hospital once a month, and tells her loyal and future customers to call and enquire as to her next visit there: her glitzy sandals are hugely popular!
Food is always a favorite topic for shoppers and homemakers: “DO YOU BAKE? is a line of natural baking, drinks, dips and cooking mixes that include no preservatives, no additives and no dyes (!!). City of Leduc resident Ken Van Someren and his family were quite busy answering a myriad questions based on this bold statement ‘of omission’ while offering some yummy ‘beer bread’ and delicious veggie dip, and were proud to say that their business is on the Web and on Facebook. This company even produces baked donut mixes and healthy dog treats, a popular item! Wetaskiwin’s ORGANO brews healthy coffee and organic teas: while Tracy Fellers was at the Leduc show, her husband Ray had a big tent at the Rawhide Rodeo. Tracy shared that when she drinks a cup of her special brew, she feels ten years younger: that sounds promising!
With fifty exhibitors at the 2012 event and a waiting list for next year, it seems that the “OUR HOME TO YOURS” tradeshow is off to a great start. Congrats to all the exhibitors who worked hard all day long to enlighten and serve the crowd of shoppers, and to the organizers, Jennifer and Judy, for planning this interesting and memorable tradeshow.