INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Saturday is focused on shopping small and there is one group of local vendors hoping shoppers will pay special attention.
More than 40 small companies set up shop at the third annual Women and Minority Small Business Market at the Basile Opera House on the north side.
"It's so hard for small businesses to get a foothold, so this is one way that we thought we would help the community. Think of it as economic infrastructure redevelopment," said Jerilyn Lewis, who co-founded the event with her three sisters and their mother. They also own a skin care line called Jael LLC.
On Saturday, small female and minority-owned businesses sold products like purses, jewelry and pottery.
Marsha Quarles co-owns a company called Marsha's Specialty Desserts & Tierney's Catering.
"We make all kinds of things from specialty cakes and deserts, pies, cookies, catering. We do a lot of weddings," Quarles said.
For small businesses, days like Small Business Saturday are important for selling their products. Quarles says it is just as crucial for marketing and getting their name out there.
"Small businesses need your support," Quarles said.
"It gives us an opportunity to get in on that holiday cash, and it gives us an opportunity to be known in the community. The more money we make, the more money we spend," Lewis said.
Shoppers like Lorraine Weatherly found out about the market on Facebook, but she did not just come to shop.
"Networking with other people seeing what brought them out here, what caused them to start their businesses, and what inspired them," Weatherly said.
The Women and Minority Small Business Market does not end Saturday. Organizers are already planning for another event next summer that they calling "Christmas in July."
To learn more, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1251502618206774/
