The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
EXPO DRAWS CROWD
Lorain County business leaders congregate at annual event
Tom’s Country Place in Avon was awash with Lorain County business leaders Nov. 1 for the fifth annual Lorain County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
As the rain poured down outside, inside the event venue, 3442 Stoney Ridge Road, exhibitors and visitors exchanged handshakes and business cards.
Tony Gallo, president of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, said he was happy with the way the Business Expo was turning out.
“It’s going great,” Gallo said. “Despite the rain, we got a good turnout early.”
Gallo said he was expecting
“We’re all small businesses and I think small businesses are the next big thing.”
— Dytanya Allgood, owner of Dys Hair Dynasty Inc.
between 600 and 650 people to attend the event.
This year’s expo showcased 110 businesses including several new businesses which were denoted by yellow signs at their booth.
Dys Hair Dynasty Inc., of Elyria, was one of those new businesses.
Dytanya Allgood, owner of the laced wig, weave and hair extension company, was manning the booth and speaking to attendees.
“I’m just out showcasing my brand,” Allgood said. “My goal is to make every woman empowered through her look.”
She said the Chamber of Commerce was very helpful and she was attending the Business Expo in an effort to network with other companies.
“(I want to) network
and just see who I can help, as well as who can help me,” Allgood said. “We’re all small businesses and I think small businesses are the next big thing.
“Events like this are really good with informing us. I’m going to learn about so many different businesses as well as so many different businesses are going to learn about my own.
“I feel like as long as we spend with each other and circulate our money with each other, then we’ll all rise.”
Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo was attending in his capacity as an elected official, a longtime board member of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce and as owner of Ted’s Flooring in Sheffield Township.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Kalo said about the Business Expo. “It’s great that we can put together an event like this that showcases what we have to offer in Lorain County.”