What Do a Home Show, Cannoli, and Real Housewives of NJ have in Common?

Last weekend I helped a friend

with her booth at a local home

show, here in Central PA.

 

She is an interior designer and

has her own business called

Design Elements LTD.

 

 

We met through our daughter's

school... so when she asked

me to come work at her

booth I thought it would

be a great chance to see some

beautiful home displays and

get to know her a little better.

 

It was a fun day with some

unexpected surprises!

 

Here is her booth.

 

She was having a "What's Your Style?" contest.

 

I thought it was a great idea.

There were different vignettes set up,

and people could choose from A, B,

or C to determine their style.

 

This was the traditional style.

 

Then the mid-century modern....

 

and then the last style was transitional.

 

I think this is me.

 

I like to include a bit of the past

(of course) with some of the modern.

 

So did many of the people

who took part in the contest.

 

The winning entry was drawn

from the style that

received the most votes.

 

Prizes were gift certificates

to the furniture stores that

were lending out the furniture

for her display.

 

Another great idea! 

 

 

She also had this in the booth.

 

Loved it!

 

We were having fun talking

to people who stopped by

PLUS the booth was right

next to the stage which was

to be the venue for several speakers

on different topics.

My friend was set to speak the

last day of the home show.

 

But, lo and behold, we

noticed a crowd gathering.

 

 

Kathy Wakile of  Real

Housewives of NJ was set to

speak any minute.

 

Really?

What was she going to talk about?

 

Since I don't watch the show

I had no idea ....

 

but come to find out she makes

cannoli and sells them in a kit.

 

After her time on the stage was

over, the home show folks set

up a table right in front

of my friend's booth

without even asking

her if she minded....

 

Then Kathy's husband (Mr. Wakile?)

 was there to join her.

 

People were lined up to get

their photos taken, autographs signed.

 

The works!

 

It was really entertaining!

 

Her husband is a real hoot.

 

But we soon discovered there was an

advantage to having a celebrity close by.

 

The local newspaper reporter

stepped over to talk to my

friend and did a little interviewing!

 

You just never know what is

going to happen.

 

And this experience with other

women entrepreneurs helped

me to think about what

I can do in my own business.

 

It was a day well spent and

I enjoyed the inspiration!

 

 

Linking with Ivy and Elephants

What's It Wednesday