Content provided by our partner Kacey Roy, Kate & Co. ~
If you grew up here by the beach in Monmouth County you are super familiar with the term “local.” We call ourselves “locals” and we even call those glorious weeks just after Labor Day “locals summer.” If you are like me, you like to shop local, eat local, drink local, and try not to go further than a bike rides distance from home in the summer months.
A few years ago when I decided to come back on full time at the shop my own Mama started 24 years ago, I knew I had to kick it up a notch. Having a small business is like constantly being David to Big Box’s Goliath. You have to keep it fresh and you have to offer something that can’t be found elsewhere. Something that sets you apart… I realized that what I brought to the table was a background and passion not only for the retail business my mother built but a knack for event planning and marketing. I, myself, am always trying to support local and small businesses and so was born my “Kate Loves Local” series. I offered to host one evening or one Sunday afternoon over the summer for a local small business to come and “Pop Up.”
A small business will come into the shop and set up a little vignette of their line and have the ability to sell their line and possibly drum up brand new business and/or new customers. The businesses have ranged from artwork to jewelry, to soaps, to skincare, to accessories; we even hosted a book signing by a local author! I promote said businesses, put out light fare and refreshments, good music and make it like a mini party! I thought this would be a fun way to get new people into the shop, meet other small business owners and cross-promote our local gigs. It’s a great way to “scratch each other backs” so to speak while having tons of fun and meeting new people!
We have 2 Kate Loves Local events scheduled for August so if you’ve yet to make one previously, mark your calendars now. Come meet Pam from Tristan and Bruce on Thursday, August 1 from 5-7pm; then Sunday, August 18 from 1-3pm come and meet Jean of Jean Mcniff Designs.
We will also be hosting another pop-up event with Kate Mancini in September!
Hope you can pop in for one of our local Pop-ups!
http://www.kateandcompanynj.com/
Photos from Tristan And Bruce and Jean Mcniff Designs.