WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE 

Last Saturday, Aug. 20, more than 70 minority businesses gathered inside the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter to network, and promote their various business ventures during the third annual Triad Minority Business Expo.

Designed to increase opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Triad, since its inception in 2014 the event has grown in size and attendance every year.

This year entrepreneurs even traveled from Charlotte, Raleigh and other areas to participate in the growing event.

Along with the various vendors at the gathering, attendees also had the opportunity to attend educational workshops on topics, including how to start a business, creating a business plan, marketing your business and various other topics.

Eric Hairston, owner of Creative Genesis LLC, a business that helps music artists book events and get paid for their music, said, he traveled from Greensboro to get tips on how to improve his business plan. He said he also learned a lot from the session on marketing.

“The workshops were great. I learned how the brain works when it comes to marketing and how to better reach my target audience,” Hairston said.

While many who attended the educational sessions were already business owners, others, such as Greensboro native Melissa Counts, came seeking information on how to get their businesses off the ground.

Counts, who is looking to start a cleaning business, said she heard about business expo on the radio. In between sessions, Counts said, “I’m impressed by everything this event has to offer.

“I’ve learned quite a bit just by visiting the various vendors and connecting with the people here,” she continued. “It’s a wonderful idea. I can’t wait to get started with my business.”

Reginald McCaskill, president of Maximum Enterprises and event director, said he is excited about the growth and expansion. He said he hopes the event continues to grow as it has over the past three years.

“The turnout has been phenomenal,” he continued. “We really want the community to recognize and understand the impact that minority businesses make, not only in the city and the state, but the entire country.”

“Minority-owned businesses play an important role in our country, and it’s time we recognize that within ourselves.”

The expo also featured a number of special guests, including actor and entrepreneur Lamman Rucker, actor, and music composer Jullian Brittano, and Petri Hawkins-Byrd, Best known for his role as the bailiff on the hit court TV show Judge Judy.

During a exclusive interview with The Chronicle Rucker, who is best known for his role in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married” series, said outside of acting, he has always been an entrepreneur. He mentioned he has a hand in a number of different businesses. He said, “It’s always about business and building relationships.

“That’s why business education and entrepreneurship is extremely important. No matter what field you decide to go into, you have to know how to market and present yourself. That’s why events like this are so important,” he continued. “I am amazed at what Reginald and his team have put together here in Winston-Salem.”

A number of elected officials were on hand to promote small business, including Mayor Allen Joines, who served as the events honorary co-chair.

Joines said the city is fully committed to the development and promotion of minority-owned businesses in the area.

East Ward Council Member Derwin Montgomery, State Sen Paul A. Lowe Jr., who rep-resents District 32 in Forsyth County, and Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke also attended the expo.

For more information on the Triad Minority Business Expo, visit www.maximumenterprisesinc.com.