Local women-owned businesses were in the spotlight Thursday for a “vendors’ market.”
Laci Rains of Little Leaf Essentials organized the She’s Native Social, a shopping and social event at 721 Jefferson St.
She’s Native is Rains’ brainchild and centers around a seasonal subscription gift box that features products and services from women-owned businesses in the area.
Rains regularly hosts what she calls “pick-up parties,” where She’s Native customers can browse a small selection of vendors when they pick up their purchased boxes. But Thursday’s social event was her first large-scale vendors’ market.
“It was nothing like this, where it’s a full-on market with services,” Rains said. “We wanted it to be an experience, not just to come and shop, but we want you to be able to experience the services and the different things that these women offer.”
During the social, more than 10 area entrepreneurs offered visitors wellness samples, tea tastings, custom jewelry, DIY floral bouquets and more.
Shoppers looking to change up their look had the opportunity to do so. They could purchase permanent jewelry, do Botox treatment or tint their brows. Or, for a revamp, they could have a color analysis done by Eldon-based Tanya Rhine, who calls herself The Color Coach. Her product has been featured in past She’s Native boxes.
“What I’m going to do is analyze the contrast in the person’s skin and hair,” Rhine said.
Then she assesses the best colors and tones for them, which helps them understand the best color choices for clothing and accessories. For example, why some colors make them look tired or bring out redness in their skin.
“Wearing your best color is going to help you feel confident, alive,” Rhine said.
Another vendor, Christa Holtzclaw of Columbia-based Steep & Bloom Tea, said she hopes to use this event as a springboard to build her customer base here.
“I’d love to kind of get more into the Jefferson City market and make sure that people here know that there’s a premium loose leaf tea option for them,” Holtzclaw said.
She utilizes more than 70 different botanicals, teas, spices and herbs to create 50 hand-blended, small-batch loose leaf teas and tisanes.
Steep & Bloom teas are one of the products that She’s Native customers can look forward to in this year’s seasonal boxes, Holtzclaw said, adding, “I have quite a few blends that actually fit really nicely with the themes.”
Crista McLain, a She’s Native subscriber, decided to check out the event with a friend. They purchased dirty sodas from Jefferson City business The Dirty Pop Shop, and each picked up some Steep & Bloom tea.
“We decided we’d just come out and support local businesses,” McLain said.
She added she likes the boxes and going to events like this because it allows her to discover new businesses. For example, the social allowed her to discover Steep & Bloom.
“We just discovered the tea (business), which is one of my favorite things, so it’s very exciting,” McLain said.
Rains already has plans for a second She’s Native Social. The details are still being figured out, but it will likely take place in the summer.
Learn more about She’s Native gift boxes and events at shesnativebox.com or by going to its Facebook page.
Lexy Messerly adjusts a flower at the popup Flower Bar on Thursday during the She’s Native Social.
Shoppers Madison Strain, left, and Ashley Galbreath, center, talk to business owner Hailey Cleveland on Thursday during the She’s Native Social.
Andii Kreek Irwin, left, talks to customers on Thursday during the She’s Native Social.
Courtney Huber of Bravenly stands by a table of sample products on Thursday during the She’s Native Social.
Tanya Rhine, a color analysis coach, shows off different prints of color patterns on Thursday during the She’s Native Social.
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