Marketing your side gig, make a big splash with a small business shower

A shower can be a fun way to meet other small business owners, expand your client base, and celebrate a milestone with your business venture. Be creative and select a theme for your next small business open house.
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/PEXELS

BPT - Starting a small business is no small feat. It requires vision, passion, dedication and an appreciation that your business is a vital part of local, national and global communities. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of economies globally. According to the World Economic Forum, SMBs make up 90% of all companies and create nearly 70% of jobs and gross domestic products worldwide.

Considering the importance and impact of SMBs and the grit and determination it takes to establish your own, small business owners and gig workers deserve to be celebrated. One fun way many founders are commemorating this accomplishment is by throwing a "small business shower."

What is a small business shower?
Small business showers are celebrations that recognize the biggest milestone in an entrepreneur's career - starting or scaling a business. A shower brings together friends, family, colleagues and the broader community to help support and cheer on those embarking on a new career journey, whether they are an experienced business owner entering a new market or a "solopreneur" starting their first business. By offering encouragement, business connections or resources and perhaps even financial support, throwing a small business shower is a fun way to celebrate your accomplishments while preparing to propel your business forward.

Why should I throw a shower?
You may feel a little shy about throwing a small business shower. However, we throw celebrations for so many life events, from birthdays to weddings to baby showers. Why not recognize the hard work that goes into starting or expanding a business? If you're still unsure, consider how small business showers can create an impact beyond the business owner alone. By bringing together a community of friends, family and like-minded local business owners who can offer advice and encouragement, a network of powerful, collaborative, and supportive individuals is formed. These gatherings are a great reminder of how important it is to invest in each other's success and growth - and what can be accomplished when we do.

How do I throw one?
There's no right or wrong way to throw a small business shower. The event can be virtual, in-person or both. You can host the event at home, in your business space or at your favorite restaurant.

However you choose to throw your shower, have fun putting it together. Consider creating eye-catching invites, incorporating thoughtful decorations, making or catering food and setting up engaging games for your guests. Then, enjoy! And who knows? Maybe it will inspire someone you know to start their own business.

Take Nana Agyemang - CEO of EveryStylishGirl and contributing social editor at NY Mag and The Cut. She recently threw a small business shower for herself when she knew she needed a serious tech partner to bring her vision to life. By collaborating with HP, she was able to not only execute the perfect small business shower but also demonstrate the power of identifying the right partners to support throughout your business journey.

Finding the right partner to jumpstart your business
As you reflect on your business, it is important to think about how you're preparing for success and future growth. One of the most critical elements to ensure your success is finding the right partners from the beginning, especially when it comes to technology.

The right tech partner will understand the unique challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face throughout their business journey, creating an environment where leaders can navigate any challenge and drive their business to success. In doing so, they can also empower SMB owners to celebrate their successes while providing premium, reliable and quality technology.

For instance, Agyemang was able to simplify the preparations for her shower with tech that made her vision come to life with the help of HP. She easily designed and printed high-quality invitations, vision board materials and decorations using her HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e printer and HP Spectre x360 14 laptop.

In the same way that SMBs need a community to support them, they also need the right business partners who believe in their potential. "It is so important to have a partner that will grow with you as your business expands," says Nana. "It's been great seeing brands like HP get involved in supporting small businesses and encouraging them to celebrate their wins."

Your accomplishments deserve recognition. Let these tips inspire you to commemorate these moments and bring your own small business shower to life.

To learn about how HP is supporting and celebrating small businesses here.


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Guest Commentary | A person of many companions may soon come to ruin

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


You may have heard this before. I went out to find a friend a none were to be found. I went out to be a friend and found them all around.

Where do you find friends?

Your best friends may be your family. You may be close to siblings, cousins, and others related to you. Growing up, I was blessed to be around a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, siblings, and parents. I didn’t have to think much about searching for friends because so many relatives were always around. This is not always the case. Many people have small families or maybe even no family. Some families go in different directions, live in different places, or move on with different interests and lives.


The Internet and social media have become the world’s biggest connection place.

We often find friends in school. Some of the people we shared elementary and high school with become lifelong connections. Even if we don’t see each other much, we still have those great past times that help us reconnect quickly.

We connect with people at our places of employment. Some of the people you spend hours with every day become lifelong friends.

Houses of faith are often good places to make new friends. People get to know each other in Bible study classes and other small group religious settings. The people you share your faith with will often become like brothers and sisters.

The local gym is often a place where people socialize. If you become a routine attender of an exercise class you will eventually develop some friends.

The Internet and social media have become the world’s biggest connection place. To many people this is their only connection. All their “friends” are on Facebook or Instagram. Many people have thousands of social media friends. Too often the loneliest people on the planet are those who are only connected by a keypad.

There are many more places where you can connect. Many communities have baking, quilting, hunting, sports clubs, and more. Civic groups from Kiwanis, Rotary, and Ruritan groups will often meet weekly and do community projects.

You might make some friends volunteering at the hospital or nursing home. There will be people in most of these places who will be glad to make a new friend. Talk to your local nursing home about your interest and you may be surprised how quickly your talents are utilized. You will also find some people who will be glad to make a new friend. Keep in mind this is not always easy as you will be trying to make friends with many who feel alone and forgotten.

You can always become active in the local political circles. This all depends on your level of desperation and if you don’t mind being shunned by whichever party you don’t declare affiliation.

Don’t try to have too many friends. The Bible says a person of many companions may soon come to ruin. However, you need a few friends and hopefully you will have some good ones.


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He is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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