WS Chronicle

One of the toughest challenges for minority business owners is the limited access to business networks. Nine years ago Maximum Enterprises set out to help local business owners expand their customer base with the Triad Minority Business Expo. This year, encompassing three weekends and three different cities – High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem – the Expo was bigger than ever. 

When Reginald McCaskill, president and CEO of Maximum Enterprises, started the Expo in 2013, his goal was to create a space where business owners could gain exposure and also network with other entrepreneurs. The first year, about 25 businesses participated in the event; this year nearly 200 different businesses were showcased. 

McCaskill said he was overwhelmed by the support the Expo received this year. He said you could feel the energy in the building. “It was truly overwhelming to see those businesses come out to be exposed to the Triad and gain all that we promote and that is lending to our motto, which is to create, connect, and cultivate,” McCaskil continued. 

“Ultimately, we know that when small businesses survive our economy survives and our world survives. I share with people the foundation that this country was built on was actually entrepreneurship and small businesses and our goal is to continue to make sure that people are aware that these businesses do exist.” 

The last leg of the Expo was held in Winston-Salem and began on Friday, Aug.  26, with the annual awards reception held at the Anderson Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). During the sold-out event, entrepreneurs and business owners from Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point received awards for Business Spotlight, Non-Profit of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Minority of the Year, Kid Biz of the Year, and Pioneer Award winner. Winners are chosen by an advisory council which is composed of representatives from all three cities. 

Winston-Salem award winners are:

*Business Spotlight: Empyrean Reality (Debbie Overby) 

*Non-Profit of the Year: Neighborhood Hands (S.D. Patterson) 

*Newcomer of the Year: Chilly Philly (Frank Robinson)

*Minority of the Year: Taste of the Triad (Sabrina Wingo)

*Kidz Biz of the Year: Gamani’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, LLC (Gamani Martin)

*Pioneer Award: Ervin Beauty Service (Minnie Ervin) 

Greensboro Award Winners are:

*Business Spotlight: Bouvi’ J Suites (Agatha Grimes and John Grimes)

*Non-Profit of the Year: Black Lamb Development (CC Lambert, Charles Blackmon and Eric Foushee)

*Newcomer of the Year: Wylies Gourmet Cafe (Sonya Wylies) 

*Minority of the Year: Stillshots Photography (Ashley Crawley)

*Kidz Biz of the Year: Qween Kollection (Bailey Reese Moore)

*Pioneer Award: Hargett Funeral Home (Nate Hargett and Brian Greene)

High Point Award Winners are: 

*Business Spotlight: Get Stitched Up (Donovan Mills)

*Non-Profit of the Year: Growing the Distance (Sharina Stable and Aniya Mayo)

*Newcomer of the Year: CMB Studios (Christopher Bray) 

*Minority of the Year: Gallery on Main (Sabrina Tillman)

*Kidz Biz of the Year: Blair’s Closet (Blair Noelle)

*Pioneer Award winner: Made You Look Salon (Jennifer Taylor) 

The main event, the Expo, was held at the Benton Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 27. In addition to more than dozens of vendors, there were also performances by local artists and WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound Marching Band. While making her way through the maze of various businesses, Alice Pittman, who was attending the Expo for the first time, said she was shocked at how much the Expo had to offer. 

“There really is something for everyone,” Pittman said. 

The McCaskills and Maximum Enterprises have already set the stage for the 2023 Triad Minority Business Expo. It will be held Aug. 26 at the Benton Convention Center. Leading up to the landmark event, McCaskill said they plan to host smaller events every month, such as training sessions and business mixers.

“This year’s Expo was just a launching pad for everything we’re going to do. We’re going to do something every month,” McCaskill said. “In preparation for that 10th year, the momentum has to start early.” 

For more information about the Triad Minority Business Expo, visit https://maximumenterprisesinc.com/.