Chamber makes plans for 2015 Small Biz Expo

The Polk County Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for a September event for small business owners to show off and learn more about how to grow their businesses.

And this year’s event has a big name in small business attached to it.

The Chamber of Commerce Small Business Expo being held at the Cedartown Performing Arts Cen-ter is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. It will start with a 4 p.m. special access to the event for Chamber members only, and 6 p.m. start for general admission.

General admission for the event will be $5 .

Tamaka Hudson, the executive director of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s event also comes with a keynote speaker who knows all about the struggles it takes to make a business work.

Gina “Gigi” Butler is the owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes. She started her business as a gamble with a first location in Nashville and now has franchise locations across the south.

Gigi’s Cupcakes went from opening on Butler’s personal finances in 2008 to $43 million in sales in 2013.

“This will be an amazing opportunity to get some fresh information concerning the struggles and, more importantly, the triumphs of being an entrepreneur and small business owner in our ‘new’ economy,” Hudson said.

Butler will speak following music performances after a 6 to 7:45 p.m. time for exploring the vendors on hand.

Hudson said the expo will also give local business owners the opportunity to network and talk with “around 30 vendors” about products and services.

“This is great opportunity to promote your products and services, increase your business visibility, meet prospects, generate leads, build a customer base and network with fellow Chamber members,” she said.

Sponsorships are also available for the event. For more information about ticket sales and more, contact the Chamber at 770-6848760.