NEO LaunchNET, a program at Lorain County Community College that offers business coaching, will host its third annual pop-up event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 7, in celebration of Black History Month.
The pop-up shop will take place in the Campana Center for Ideation and Invention, 1005 Abbe N. Road in Elyria.
The event is centered around highlighting and supporting African American business owners with goods or services or who may just want to network, said Matt Poyle, program manager for NEO LaunchNET.
“Even if someone doesn’t have an existing business and they want to come and learn more about what it takes to operate a business, we have such a friendly network of entrepreneurs that would be willing to take the time and give some of that advice,” Poyle said.
Anyone is welcome to take advantage of the networking opportunity and potentially get their business questions answered, he said.
There is no fee for vendors to participate, and the event is free and open to the public.
“There is sort of a network that is created out of our events — pop-up shops and our coaching — where sometimes it can be kind of lonely to start a business alone,” Poyle said. “And this kind of creates the community aspect, where everyone is coming together to sell their products and their services.”
According to Poyle, nearly a dozen vendors signed up for this year’s show.
“It’s open to products, services, so if someone did just want to come and network and showcase their service that they offer, they’re welcome to do that too,” he said.
NEO LaunchNET is available to students, faculty, staff and alumni and offers free and unlimited business coaching to those with a business or business idea, according to Poyle.
The organization has helped start over 170 businesses in Lorain County.
“We work with quite a variety of different clients, and we help people start and grow businesses,” Poyle said. “We believe that everything should be accessible to everyone here.”
One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing business owners reach their potential as their companies grow and change through learning and networking, he said.
“They’re able to become their own boss and change themselves, change their community, change their families with what they’re doing with their business,” Poyle said. “We’re very proud of this event, and we’re hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.”