COURTESY ALISIA HUTCHINSON

The Oct. 30 pop-up hosted by Nxt Big Thing Charlotte is a showcase for Black-owned businesses to network and highlight their goods and services.

A pop-up shop will showcase goods and services of Black-owned businesses.

The Oct. 30 pop-up at LabCity Sports, Training, and Event Center from 1-5 p.m. will highlight Black-owned companies. More than 90 vendors are expected to participate.

The event will be hosted by Nxt Big Thing Charlotte, an organization with a mission to strengthen Black communities by bolstering small businesses through pop-up shops that give entrepreneurs the exposure they need to expand and prosper. Admission is free.

“The goal is to help these businesses grow and gain exposure from all the different people at the event,” said Alisia Hutchinson, founder of Nxt Big Thing Charlotte. “Hopefully, when someone buys something from them, they’ll continue to shop there in the future, like a loyal customer.”

Hutchinson is a serial entrepreneur with several small businesses of her own, including Lisi Health and Wellness, Love Decadent Eats, and Shoe Heaven & More 2. As host of monthly pop-ups, Nxt Big Thing Charlotte has become a hub for black-owned businesses and networking.

“I created (the pop-ups) so that I, and people like me, can join together and form our own shop,” she said. “I wanted to make it possible for Black-owned small businesses to thrive. What makes us different from any other events is that I feature vendors on my social media. I promote their brand up until the date of the event.”

From finance vendors to health and wellness vendors, small businesses of varying sizes will be represented. Even kidpreneurs are welcome to show off their products. There will be food, a DJ, bounce house, and even a Halloween costume contest with prizes for adults and children.

Most pop-up shops have around 10-20 vendors, Hutchinson said, but the Nxt Big Thing Charlotte showcase aims to help businesses reach more people. There will be 60 indoor vendors and 30 outdoor, making it an option for people who are conscious of social distancing due to COVID.

In addition to vendors, free swag bag will be given away. Vendors that are unable to attend can create their own goodie bags with product samples or business cards that event coordinators will hand out on site.  





 

Comments