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The smell of cotton candy wafted through rows of colorful booths and brightly clothed tables Thursday afternoon at the second Small Business Festival in Clary-Afar Park.
Hosted by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the event featured more than 50 small businesses promoting a variety of goods and services, from cotton candy to health care.
“This is a unique event for the chamber,” said Lisa Driskell Hawkesby, chair of the chamber’s small business committee. “Most chamber events are chamber-to-chamber business events, and this is really a community engagement event where we intend to bring the whole community out.”
The free festival included live music, food trucks, a drink garden and a variety of activities for kids and families. The Small Business Festival is supported by several sponsors, including Hawthorne Bank and Liberty Family Medicine.
The number of businesses has increased from last year. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce defines a small business as having 25 or fewer full-time employees, and Driskel Hawkesby said small businesses make up the majority of the chamber’s membership.
Cruz Chavez, owner of Sawdust Studios in Columbia, stood by a table piled high with cut boards and chatted with other business owners and event attendees. Chavez He said the close-knit nature of the small business community in Columbia will be beneficial after the woodshop opens in 2020.
“When I first started, other business owners immediately reached out and became mentors, which was totally unexpected,” Chavez said. “I feel like I’m making decisions that help me grow and make sure I’m doing well.”
Other presenters echoed Chavez’s sentiments, noting the cooperative community that comes with owning a business in the city. Samantha Boisclair, owner of a party supply store, hosted a table displaying a variety of party decorations.
“Colombia has a really great spirit of cooperation. “There is no competition; It is all about achieving and growing together as a whole community.
In addition to the array of vendor tables, three food trucks and a fire truck were parked outside the pavilion. A reception booth was set up, and kids were enjoying shaved ice and free candy. Sheila Mullins was picking up her daughter from volleyball when they drove past the festival and decided to stop. Mullins said what drew her to the event is what she loves about the small business community in the city.
“I like it because it’s not just something for adults, but the whole family can usually come and join,” Mullins said. “I love that Columbia is really family oriented.”
Driskel Hawxby Columbia residents and business owners make the small business community what it is.
“I think typically people who come to university towns have passion, camaraderie and an eagerness to meet new people and do things,” Driskell Hawksby said. I think the small business community here is that when you help each other, you can use that power, that community power to do really great things.
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