Last weekend I attended an amazing event downtown where I was able to showcase my business and network with other local business owners! I posted some pictures on my social media pages, but for everyone interested, here are the details about the event and my personal experience regarding the night!
I became aware of this event by connecting with members of One Voice DSM, a local group of Africans from every country in the continent, coming together for the sake of unity and empowerment in the community. Being a little late to the game, I didn’t have much time to prepare, but was excited to attend nonetheless when I was informed about the networking event that they were organizing: the African Business Fair.
The African Business Fair was the first event of it’s kind, and was created by One Voice DSM with the intention of creating awareness about African Businesses in the Des Moines community. Business owners were invited to set up tables displaying information about the services and goods their company provided in order to connect with other business owners and the people who attended the event. The event was held at Gravitate Coworking Space in downtown Des Moines, a venue where freelancers and business owners can rent out office space or just a place to work remotely with other people. The space was really large and had a modern/industrial feel (with FREE wifi).
I set up my table with my business cards, brochures and poster, with a slideshow displaying my recent work and a tablet for people to sign up for the newsletter. As soon as 3pm hit the event was on! Around maybe 30-40 people attended throughout the night, including business owners and people who came to learn more about our businesses.
It was an amazing night filled with laughter, fun and great connections. There was no two of the same business displaying that night. My most recent client, OPX International was there! Genesis Youth Foundation was there, as was Budu\Bu Art Collective, Batchata Des Moines, Mathai Tax Services, Mosaic Haven, ARTS (African Immigrants and Refugees Transitional Services) and DSM African Cuisine.
At the end of the night, each business was given the opportunity to speak about who they are and what they do, and how they can help other businesses. It was very impromptu, so I had to jump up and give my elevator pitch in under a minute. It’s funny, as a first year student at University of Iowa way back in the day I did a random competition that dealt with creating a business idea and forming an elevator pitch to sell that idea. I didn’t win, but never knew the experience would come in handy one day! As each of us shared, we were also networking and finding ways to support and do business with each other. At the end of the night, I was also interviewed for a documentary series about Africans who own businesses in Iowa. One of the questions the interviewer asked me was what words of advice I would give young African kids for their future?
I said to follow your dreams, and don’t allow yourself to get put in a box. Aim for success and do what you love, not what other people want you to do. It’s so easy to get stuck and feel like you can’t make it big, but if you put your mind to it, anything is possible!
I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend this amazing event and display the services that Studio Delta Designs has to offer! There were so many wonderful people who attended the event, and I’m looking forward to connecting with more local businesses in the future.
