(UPDATED) KNOXVILLE, TN (July 2021) – More than 24 small business creatives displayed their products and services at a Pop-up Business Shower at Brown Bag Productions Burlington Event Center at 3814 MLK Ave. in East Knoxville.
This was the third event Karen Hardin has sponsored at this venue this year. Her intentions are to assist small and minority businesses in getting exposure by hosting a monthly networking event. So look forward to future business and social events at the Brown Bag in Burlington venue.
Hardin and Jervis Scott Brown, owner of the Brown Bag Productions in Burlington venue, have partnered in an effort to produce events to promote small businesses, networking, and community engagement.
“I know of all of these small businesses out here without ways to get exposure,” said Karen Hardin owner of Allow Me, LLC. “I decided to come up with a way to help promote them.”
The July Pop-up Business Shower was a first-class event. It was free to attendees and vendors paid a nominal fee. Hardin said that she had to turn down and could not accommodate all of the vendors wanting to participate.
Hardin transformed the Brown Bag venue into an inviting shopping, browsing, and community networking experience. She took the event to the next level, the upper balcony of the venue. From there, local vocalist Jeanine Fuller accompanied by Margherita Fava on keyboards and David Becher on bass guitar rendered smooth grooves during the event.
The Brown Bag balcony has a lounge vibe. It features a bar and a big-screen television that can be enjoyed from the comfortable seating that includes a sofa. It’s perfect for small gatherings, meetings, or presentations.
As a licensed bartender, Hardin was comfortable behind the bar of the lounge. From there, she treated eligible guests to a complimentary glass of wine or champagne from a flowing fountain with fresh strawberries.
Hardin garnered over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry before striking out on her own. She worked for some of the largest and most familiar banquet service providers in the Knoxville area, which include Cherokee Country Club, Crowne Plaza, All-Occasion Party Rentals, and the former Hyatt Regency. Hardin has established a team of experienced banquet servers she employs when needed and is called on by some of her former employers when they need additional support staff for large events.
To learn more about Hardin’s services, contact All About Me, LLC, on Facebook; or call 865-308-0368.
Jervis “Scott Free” Brown’s mother Carolyn, encouraged him to explore acting from watching him in high school plays at Fulton High School (class of 1992). His mother recognized his talents and signed him up with the Talent Trek agency that is still his agent. Brown has been featured as a swimsuit model in Jet Magazine 2005 edition, DIY, ing, or, established the Brown Bag Productions venue to create professional-quality videos and commercials for himself and independent artists. In addition to an event space, the Brown Bag is available to artists to produce videos, recordings, demos, commercials, etc. with professional assistance if needed. To learn more about the Brown Bag in Burlington venue for a production or an event; email Jervis Brown at Brownbagproductions@yahoo.com. You can also follow him on YouTube at Scott Free.
A FEW OF THE VENDORS AT THE JULY BUSINESS POP-UP SHOWER AT BROWN BAG PRODUCTIONS IN BURLINGTON.
The Burlington Pop Up Business event showcased an array of predominately black businesses. There was an array of specialized products and services. The youngest vendor was only 8-years old and has been in business for about a year, and the longest-serving vendor has been in business for over 60-years. (All photos by Patricia Williams, East Tennessee Enlightener, July 2021)
