Tag Archives: Black-Owned Business Showcase

Fifth Annual Black-Owned Business Showcase slated for Aug. 10 at Woodland Mall

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A previous Black-Owned Business Showcase. (Courtesy, Woodland Mall)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org

Approximately 20 regional businesses will showcase their goods and services during the fifth annual Black-Owned Business Showcase at Woodland Mall Saturday, Aug. 10.

The annual event will feature booths with Black-owned businesses offering baked goods, health and wellness products, jewelry, apparel and more.



A previous Black-Owned Business Showcase. (Courtesy, Woodland Mall)



Participating vendors include:

  • Uniquely Made Kreations
  • TLC House Of Beauty
  • Dulce-T’s
  • Keys Scented Candles
  • Unique Hair by Shay
  • Dr. Diva Accessories
  • Misha’s Boutique
  • K’s Kloset LLC
  • The Shoe Boss
  • Dessy Delights
  • Nick Nak Treats
  • Bessette Designs
  • GloWorld
  • Kenyons Creations
  • Dejure Essentials
  • Pretty Girl Collection Boutique



Shoppers can browse, sample, buy and connect during the day-long showcase from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Von Maur wing. The event is again presented by Britney Sylvester, owner of Uniquely Made Kreations.


“We’re looking forward to hosting the showcase again and welcoming new vendors to the lineup,” said Marketing Manager Kennedy Vancalbergh. “The Black-Owned Business Showcase is always a popular event that introduces our community to incredible products and services available right here in West Michigan. We’re honored to continue to host this event, which brings great exposure for the vendors.”

PREIT properties across its footprint has hosted activities throughout the year, including art exhibits, documentary screenings and food festivals, as a way to highlight the importance of Black-owned businesses and brands year-round.

For the latest event information, visit ShopWoodlandMall.com. Businesses interested in securing a booth may contact Britney Sylvester at britneysylvester24@gmail.com.

Woodland Mall shines spotlight on black-owned businesses in August showcase

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Local Business, Upcoming Events, ,

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer

Britney Sylvester recognizes that for entrepreneurs who don’t have a brick and mortar store, it’s hard to get the word out about their businesses.

Britney Sylvester, owner of Uniquely Made Kreations, participates in a previous Black-Owned Business Showcase at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

Which is why the owner of Uniquely Made Kreations is presenting this year’s Black-Owned Business Showcase as a part of Black Business Month in August.

“Not everyone has the startup money or funds to have an actual location, so these networking events – this one being at the mall where there’s a lot of foot traffic – give you a lot of exposure,” she said. “People are coming up and asking about your products, and you’re getting to share your journey with individuals from all walks of life. It’s amazing.”

Woodland Mall will host its third annual Black-Owned Business Showcase from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, when more than a dozen local companies will be offering items like food, jewelry, apparel, home products, cosmetics, and health and wellness services.

Mall visitors will get to browse, sample and buy from the local entrepreneurs participating in the event.

 

Networking key to success

Uniquely Made Kreations offers items like customized T-shirts, masks, and cups, along with homemade desserts.

Sylvester said she first started making products and selling them about seven years ago, but she really got serious in 2019 when she graduated from SpringGR, an organization that helps launch new businesses through coaching and connections. SpringGR works primarily with businesses that are owned by minorities and women. The group helped her learn things like how much to charge for items, how to calculate her break-even point, and how to get an LLC.

“They helped me network with a lot of individuals as well,” she said.

 

Showing your support

The list of businesses participating this year includes: 

Business owners sell their products at last year’s Black-Owned Business Showcase at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)
  • Uniquely Made Kreations
  • D&D Fashion
  • Douber
  • EKDADF
  • XWhat’s Poppin
  • My Beautii Cosmetics
  • 616 Candle Co 
  • Azucar
  • Paparazzi
  • Lovely Organic Products
  • Maiyah Mari
  • Perfect fit
  • Blaque Realeza
  • Petray Trendz
  • Queen of Hustle 
  • Melanie’s Miracle Children Boutique 

The annual showcase is an important event for black entrepreneurs, giving them a chance to show off what they’re capable of and what they’re working on, Sylvester said.

 

“The community should come out and support it. It’s not only just buying, but spreading the word and looking at each and every one of the tables for the businesses that will be out there,” she said.

Sheila McGrath is a lifelong Grand Rapids resident who has been covering local news for more than 25 years. She was focused on Kentwood and Wyoming for more than a decade as editor of the Southeast and Southwest Advance newspapers.