With her extensive experience in marketing and event planning, Joy Ross has come to realize that people like to buy products from a friendly face.
“You don’t buy from the grumpy person and you don’t buy from the stranger unless you have no choice, so if you know someone in the business you’re going to buy from them,” she said.
With that concept in mind, Ross created the Free Fanfare Market, an event that aims to connect businesses and neighbours in the West Shore.
“I’m really all about local shopping. We all have to do our bit for the environment and I know that when we shop local and buy local … it’s less time in our cars … So that’s one of my motivators.”
The first market happens Sept. 28 from noon to 8 p.m. at Luxton Hall and includes a series of guest speakers, live performances and 50 exhibitors.
Among the speakers is Chris Grew, who will talk about debt solutions and strategies, something that’s becoming increasingly vital as household debt in Canada continues to soar.
Darren Cole will speak about his five strategies for living deliberately, and Rosemarie Barnes will deliver tips for how to confidently get on stage and speak in front of others.
There will be plenty for children as well, as local magician Jason Verners and Yowza the Clown will be there to entertain, with Verners scheduled to dazzle the crowd at 5 p.m.
Students from the Victoria Conservatory of Music will perform at 7:00 to close out the event’s entertainment.
Ross realizes that food is always a good enticement for people to check out an event, and 100 hot dogs will be available for free at both noon and 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The other thing that’s different, that distinguishes ourselves from a regular market, is that we really encourage the non product-based businesses to come in … we’re about making friends in the community,” she said, adding that real estate and financial services professionals are expected to be among those in attendance.
Ross anticipates turning this into a monthly market, falling on the last Wednesday of every month. The second edition is scheduled for Oct. 26.
For more information, visit fanfaremarket.com.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
