Scores of Grand Valley residents made their way to the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center (BIC) on Thursday evening to celebrate the holiday season — and, in the process, local small businesses.
For the first time in seven years, the BIC brought back its Small Business Holiday Expo and Silent Auction, hosted at its campus, the home of 72 local businesses. More than 20 of those businesses were featured at the expo, bringing in business and exposure from the many attendees who came out at any point between 4 and 8 p.m.
BIC spokesperson Linde Marshall said the expo received more than 300 RSVPs — and what felt like even more visitors than that throughout the evening.
Christmas lights shine around patrons during the Small Business Holiday Expo at the Business Incubator Center on Thursday. Numerous vendors and food trucks were present at the event, which drew a big crowd from the community.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to see all these businesses thriving in our community, this ecosystem of small business being supported by the community with the community showing up and coming out here to support them,” said BIC CEO Dalida Bollig, embracing the seasonal spirit with a string of Christmas lights around her neck .
The center had originally planned to bring the expo back for 2020, but then the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans. It finally returned this year with a European market format, draped in Christmas decorations with special attendees including Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“We want our community to feel proud of the small businesses, the startups, the existing businesses, and to support local…. In the past, this used to be the event of the year. People loved it. Since I joined the Incubator, a lot of people have been asking me to bring this event back,” Bollig said. “We’ve been thinking about methods and ways to bring this event back in a more dynamic way with a European style where we promote economic development through the businesses. What we do here at the Business Incubator Center through our programs is we promote economic development, and we develop these ecosystems so that small businesses can thrive.”
Vendors at the Small Business Holiday Expo at the Business Incubator Center on Thursday sold various items. The event, back for the first time in seven years, helps local businesses get noticed by community members.
Businesses and organizations with stands at the expo — all of which operate out of the incubator — were 505 Fix, Bonfire Oyster Co., Confluence Woodcraft, Decadence Cheesecakes, Decadence Gourmet, Gigglefish, Grand Valley Micro Farms, the Hi Five Robotics Teams, La Cultura Taco Shop, Makerspace, A Moment Stopped Photography Studio, Mustang West Artists, Palisade Coffee Company, Pandemic Polly Peppers, Seeds Trust High Altitude Gardens, STEM is My Future, Trail Cookie, Valkyrie Recovery Systems and Zen Booty Skin Care.
Additionally, there were various food trucks at the expo, including Avenue Coffee, Armando Tacos, 505 Fix Authentic New Mexican Cuisine, Lucky Thai and Sitto’s Arabic Kitchen.
Some of these small business owners spoke to The Daily Sentinel about the opportunity to showcase their businesses at such a festive, well-attended event.
Christmas lights hang around patrons during the Small Business Holiday Expo at the Business Incubator Center on Nov. 30, 2023.
“The turnout has been wonderful,” said A Moment Stopped owner Amanda Bizer. “It’s really great that we all get to showcase our services and products here because, a lot of times, we don’t get the chance. Everybody who’s here is supporting small businesses, so they’re really on our side and I’ve had a lot of great feedback tonight.”
“The photography here is actually all of the Colorado mustangs. The woodwork here is all reclaimed wood, so being able to showcase this and get input and have people in the community be able to look and see makes it a great feedback event,” said Mustang West Artists owner Sloane Milstein, pointing toward the business’ mustang-themed photos, clothing and woodwork made from reclaimed wood. “This is brand new for me, so I think it’s validating and it’s nice to meet the other vendors and the other people running small businesses in town.”
La Cultura Taco Shop owner Esmeralda Guzman added that the expo was a great opportunity for her to showcase both her business and her personality through her personal fusions of Mexican food and ingredients.
Vendors host booths with everything from food and drinks to 3d-printed mini houses during the Small Business Holiday Expo at the Business Incubator Center on Nov. 30, 2023.
“It has been a great turnout,” Guzman said. “It’s been a great opportunity because I get to showcase my brand and represent something that’s me…. Even though it has Mexican roots, it represents me.”
The expo also included a silent auction, with all proceeds going toward future renovations to BIC facilities, facilities upon which many different kinds of small local businesses — ranging from artists to engineering to agriculture to food — depend.
“When you see businesses in an inflated or more recessive economy, you have struggles and you have rural areas putting a little more weight on the businesses and supply chains putting weight on the businesses,” Bollig said. “Having events like this helps a lot because they get the word out, the community knows about them, and they can feel the love and support of the community that keeps them going.”
