Willow Grove Women Get Down to Business at Expo

Women might not be finding jobs as quickly as men in the slow recovery from the “Great Recession,” but the Women of Willow Grove were out and open for business at the May 10 Women of Willow Grove Business Expo.

“This is the first time we are doing a business expo,” said Judy Dyke, a charter member of Women of Willow Grove.

The event was also a part of the Willow Grove 300 celebration, honoring the community’s tercentennial.

Over 40 vendors set up shop in the community rooms of Giant supermarket on York Road.

“It’s pretty diversified,” Dyke said of the businesses represented.

Dyke works at Willow Computer Services Inc. and sells Arbonne products, both of which were represented at the expo. Mortgage brokers, jewelry vendors, chiropractors and more showcased their services and wares.

Aimee Wilson, a Willow Grove resident, brought her chocolate business, Occasions to Savor, to the expo.

“We are allied independent chocolatiers,” said Wilson.

Wilson sells Dove Chocolate Discoveries through chocolate tasting parties at clients’ homes.

A member of the Women of Willow Grove, Wilson said the organization has helped her connect to others as a vendor and a consumer. 

“It’s a great way for me to get businesses and get services I need,” said Wilson.

Page Partain traveled from Glenside to take part in the business expo; it was her first time participating in a Women of Willow Grove event.   

“I just started my business recently,” said Partain, the proprietor of Skin Care by Page.

Partain operates out of Family Chiropractic Center in Glenside, and said she was hoping to make some connections at the expo.

Nona Melnick, principal at the Montessori Chridren’s House in Horhsam, said she thought the expo had a great turnout. Melnick represented one of two schools at the expo. Hatboro’s Play and Learn was represented by Kim Moore.

The women discussed the differences between the two schools for young children. 

“They try to understand the child and what lessons go with the child,” said Melnick of the Montessori educators.

The Montessori school also features multi-age classrooms, with age ranges of a few years in one class.

“Play and Learn is based on age groups, and it’s more of a teacher-directed lesson,” said Moore.

Diane Devlin and Rachel Acquaviva represented another child care organization at the expo, Concern. The foster care agency is currently celebrating National Foster Care Month. 

“We are always trying to raise the awareness of the need for foster care in the community,” said Devlin.

Concern places youth in homes in several counties, but is based in Willow Grove. Devlin said that Concern tries to place children near their homes.

“We try to focus on the home school district when we can,” she said.

Sheryl Fox, a Fort Washington resident, brought an array of gift baskets to the expo, all products from her business, Sheryl’s Place.

“I truly believe you need to network today to get the word out, especially in today’s economy,” said Fox.

Her business, which she operates from her home, relies on word of mouth and social networking to grow.

“You can become a fan on Facebook,” said Fox.

The business expo featured three breakout seminars, one about social networking for businesses, one on real estate, and another about multilevel marketing. The Women of Willow Grove asked visitors for a $5 entry fee, and that money will later be donated to charity, said Dyke.

The Women of Willow Grove occasionally sponsors charitable events, but the group’s main activity is the monthly meetings.

Dyke said the meetings are more relaxed than other networking groups that require members to bring leads to meetings.

“But business happens,” said Dyke.

Visit www.womenofwillowgrove.com for information about upcoming meetings.

Other businesses at the expo included Windy Wing Design and Promotion, MC Mormick Family Chiropractic, Extra Storage Space, Party Lite, Willow Lake Retirement Residence, Montgomery County Women’s Journal, Health Source of Abington, Executive Maids, Usborne Books & More, TD Bank and other local businesses.