By Ann Marie Shambaugh
As an independent merchandiser with Chloe + Isabel, Gina Melvin had participated in several direct sales events, but none of them seemed to attract quite the right crowd.
So she decided to plan a Ladies Night Out Style + Shopping Event at the Whitestown Municipal Complex, and this time the response has been overwhelming. She had to ask for permission to expand the event into the building’s lobby area to accommodate the 35 vendors and has been forced to turn down others who are interested.
“When I started doing this, I didn’t realize how many women in the Boone County area do things like this,” Melvin said.
Most of the vendors hail from Zionsville, Whitestown and elsewhere in Boone County, although some come from Indianapolis as well. They will be selling clothing, makeup, wellness items and more.
Melvin, 28, recently moved to Whitestown from South Bend. She works for a wholesale gift and wedding company on the east side of Indianapolis, but she began selling Chloe + Isabel before the move in case she didn’t immediately land a full-time job.
She said that many working women, like her, operate direct sales businesses part-time, as well as stay-at-home moms who can work from home. All of them, she said, share an “entrepreneurial spirit,” and the shopping event will give them the opportunity to showcase their businesses and network with other women.
Melvin hopes shoppers will enjoy connecting with other women as well.
“This is going to be an event where you can shop and support different vendors and businesses from your area all under one roof,” she said. “Come out and meet some women in your neighborhood, connect with them and encourage them as well as have fun.”
With so much interest in the inaugural event, Melvin said she’s hoping to plan another one before the holidays.
“I love just seeing the positive reaction that we’re getting to this event,” she said. “We definitely hope to do future ones.”
Ladies Night Out Style + Shopping Event
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12
Where: Whitestown Municipal Complex, 6210 Veterans Drive
Cost: Free admission
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1746911168930699/?ti=cl
