The Rutherford County Black Business Network presents the inaugural "Business Showcase," which will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at Patterson Park Community Center in Murfreesboro.
On the heels of the January small business program "How to Start an Internship Program for Your Small Business" with Deborah Roberts of MTSU and the Small Business Development Center, Taiisha Bradley, founder of Rutherford County Black Business Network, is giving fellow entrepreneurs what they’ve asked for an opportunity to become more visible in their businesses and careers in Rutherford County.
Free tickets are available online and at the door.
"Every was not approved that applied either because they did not meet the professional requirements, or either because we were full. I am considering doing the event again in the future because of the great response," said Bradley, who curated the event and self-reviewed each applicant.
The highly anticipated event shares the date and the venue with several other Black History month events.
The RCBBN Business Showcase is a free, family-friendly event that will feature 28 diverse, minority businesses and business owners that live in or serve Rutherford County.
"Families can come and make a day out all that is going on at Patterson Park on Saturday. I encourage parents to bring their children and expose them to the option of entrepreneurship as a career path. And I also encourage adults to come, and see what it looks like when you choose to treat your side hustle like a business. Each of these businesses in this showcase are model entrepreneurs and assets to our community," Bradley said.
RCBBN’s first Meet and Greet at Donatos Pizza, was the group’s first offline event.
For the first year of its existence, RCBBN has been a business Facebook page that re-shares content from Black businesses in Rutherford County, as well as lifestyle, entertainment, and news content. It currently has more than 800 followers and a Facebook group of nearly 300 local minority professionals.
Attendees can enhance their event experience at the Business Showcase by visiting TaiishaBradley.com/events for free tickets, event links, and to sign up for events-related newsletters.
The roster of vetted showcased businesses are:
• Victoria Aku Akanbi of Aku;
• Akua Abimbola of Ayé!;
• Lisa Rouse of Boro Town Cakes;
• Essence Threkeld of C. Noelle Designs;
• Tiffany Anderson of Chef Tiffany;
• Crystle Jones-Bond of Classic;
• Sharon Colbert-Sanders of Colbert-Sanders DreamVacations;
• Marquis Osborne of Colored Essentials;
• Wanakee Anderson of Dream Lashes Beauty Spa, Betty of Ethioliciuos;
• Valerie Stewart of From Mom To Mogul;
• Monique Ivory of Grandma's Hands Dessert House;
• Jalisa Ranae of Jalisa Ranae Photography;
• Jessica Jernigan of Jessica J. Health Coach;
• Kaneisha Scott of KB Popcorn LLC;
• Monica McLaurine of M2 Next Level Training and Consulting;
• Michelle Bellinger of MBellished Accessories & Gifts;
• Mini Panyavong of Mini Fusion;
• Toya Griffin of Mo’ Scrubs;
• Elbony Weatherspoon of Mommies Dreams Matter;
• Taiisha Bradley, MA of Rutherford County Black Business Network;
• Andrea Sheffield of Sheffield Counseling Services;
• Ambi Smith of Sisters in the Name of Christ, Inc;
• Christiana Afotey of Threads By Dreads LLC;
• Ricky R Turner of Turner's Transportation;
• Samahria Richie of Two Sisters Maid 2 Clean;
• Reniesha Stanley of Uniquely Gifted Massage;
• Ashley Pruitt of Unrefined Naturals; and
• LaMonica Barnett of WorldVentures.
Join the Rutherford County Black Business Network community by becoming a fan on Facebook! @rucoblackbiznet
