Sunday, May 23, 2010
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
news @vindy.com
NILES
More than 60 vendors filled the Eastwood Expo Center on Saturday with options meant to empower, educate and pamper women.
A lot of women in the community need to feel empowered right now, said Kim Patrnchak, of Events by Kim and coordinator of the “Empowering Women in the Community” event .
Many women have lost jobs and started new businesses, she noted.
“I hope that [participants] can come away with a great feeling of personal growth and self-empowerment to grow in their field [and] to educate themselves to feel better about themselves,” she said.
Vendors offered information on laser hair removal, Botox, fashion, home decoration, finances, fitness and more.
“I’m trying to get an array of people in here to bring the community together,” Patrnchak said.
Women also were treated to entertainment. The Trumbull Senior Singers and the Warren G. Harding High School Positive Force Drill Team performed.
A self-defense demonstration and fashion show were included.
Barbara Emery-King of Champion attended the event to support a friend who was slated to speak about battling breast cancer.
Emery-King was impressed by the variety of offerings.
This type of expo is needed in the community, she said.
“I think a lot of people aren’t aware of what’s out there for everybody,” she added.
Britni and Brandi Baker offered samples of protein bars at their table. The sisters are independent coaches for Beach Body, a fitness and diet program.
“I’m here to spread the word about Beach Body,” said Britni Baker.
“I want to help people find programs that are right for them. If they don’t want to do a program from Beach Body, if they just want to walk, I want to help them learn how much they should be walking a day.”
Linda Donley of Warren brought her 15-year-old daughter, Tiffany, to see what the expo was all about.
“I think it’s pretty cool that all the different things came together,” Tiffany said.
Her mom agreed.
“It’s nice that they’re putting it all together in one place, so people who might want to see Shaklee and Avon and Pampered Chef, they don’t have to wait for somebody to have a party. Or maybe someone doesn’t even know what they are. So that gives them an idea, when you have everybody in one place like this.”
The event continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.