A Homecoming Production: The Everything Expo

Home to dozens, if not hundreds of student entrepreneurs, Southern University has become a hub of innovation and start-up businesses that range from self-care, health, and beauty, to pastries. The issue that many early entrepreneurs have is a lack of opportunity to promote their brand in meaningful spaces outside of social media, an opportunity that this year’s All-Southern Experience Expo sought to capitalize on.
Homecoming season presents an environment for students that is rife with opportunities as alumni with a history in business partake in the festivities of homecoming week. In this regard, this year’s All-Southern Experience Expo represented an opportunity for students to not only spread the word about their brands but also network amongst some of Southern University’s best and brightest entrepreneurial minds.
One aspect of Southern University that can’t be overlooked is the cultural component that exists in how we operate within daily life. One such piece of culture that’s become synonymous with our community is the protection and maintenance of our hair. New Orleans entrepreneur and nursing major Le’Shanda Frye spoke briefly about her business startup, Laid by Royalty, and her experience at the Expo so far.
“My main goal is [provide] beauty accessories that can help fight skin conditions like acne,” said Frye, who said that she first heard about the Expo via social media, before eventually securing her table at the afternoon’s event. From bonnets to skin cream, to lip gloss, Frye notes her wares to be just what’s needed for young men and women who value their skin and hair quality,
For many students, the expo served not only as a networking opportunity, but an opportunity to reacclimate into the entrepreneurial world. Dajua Sykes, for example, had started her cookie boutique in her home state of Hawaii some years back before eventually putting the endeavor on the back burner. When allowed to show what she has, however, Sykes allegedly wasted no time in breaking out the baking materials.
“I heard about it via email first, and when I did, I just thought that it was the perfect opportunity,” said Sykes, a child development major, when asked what about this opportunity made the right one for her to get back into the business.
Ty Wilson, a computer science major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana noted a similar dynamic of opportunity meeting preparation with his clothing brand. With apparel ranging from t-shirts to hats, to hoodies, Wilson pointed out how the opportunity to promote his brand was too big to pass up.
“Being able to network and touch bases [with other student professionals] was important to me, and that’s why I came,” said Wilson when asked what he hoped to get from the expo experience.
In an era where the promo is easier than ever before and everyone has an idea that’s too big to fail, it’s doubly important to have platforms for minorities to network and grow their communities of entrepreneurship. Through platforms such as the All-Southern Experience Expo, students not only gained this opportunity to promote their merchandise and make sales, but network with like-minded individuals who could potentially benefit the business aspirations of all parties.