One of the difficulties of running a home-based business is connecting with the customer base. There are exceptions — businesses that sell exclusively online, for instance.
But for any entrepreneur wanting to connect with the local community, a physical storefront and foot traffic are almost essential.
Fortunately, on July 15, local businesses seeking to increase their public profiles and access the Nocatee and Ponte Vedra market will have an opportunity.
That’s because the link, located at 425 Town Plaza Ave., is planning a Business Expo where business owners and staff can meet the public and chat about the products and services they offer.
“The goal is, if we help them drive exposure, they’ll get stronger, they’ll have access to the customers and we are collectively helping the community,” said Raghu Misra, co-founder of the link.
Misra said he is hoping to have between 50 and 60 businesses represented. He said the number of people who run home-based businesses was “significant.”
The idea is not dissimilar to the Nocatee Farmer’s Market, except that it is focused more on “white-color-type” businesses rather than, say, agricultural products.
Businesses that would like to participate would reserve an exhibitor table by going to thelink.zone/events-1 and clicking on the Business Expo link at the top right. Tables are priced between $100 and $500.
The expo will run from 6 to 9 p.m.
Family Olympics
Concurrent with the expo will be the Family Olympics, happening just outside the link. Here’s an opportunity to spend some quality time with the family and have some good old-fashioned fun.
“Our goal is to see if we can bring some of these older games back into a fun environment,” said Misra.
Games being planned will include (but may not be limited to): sack race, water balloon toss, two-legged race, tug-of-war, Hawaiian Linky Tinky Bird Relay and Tipsy Tossy Waiter.
“They are all designed toward the entire family participating,” said Misra. “Not just the kids.”
He said he hopes that, eventually, this will evolve into an annual Nocatee Olympics.
Attendees can sign up for games during the event.
The Family Olympics will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. It is free to attend both the Olympics and the expo, though attendees should register in advance. Go to thelink.zone/events-1 and click on the link at top left titled “Join Us in Commemorating Our 1st Year Anniversary.”
