How These Vendors Helped Raise Over $60K For Breast Cancer Awareness

About AWCAA: AWCAA works to reduce the burden of cancer on African immigrant women and their families...

About AWCAA:

AWCAA works to reduce the burden of cancer on African immigrant women and their families by providing equal access to screening and care for all African women in the US and abroad. While we provide programs and services for African women cancer patients and survivors, in the Washington, Metropolitan area; we are equally committed to spreading our mission to African countries through our medical missions.

Challenge:

AWCAA hosts an annual fundraiser called Ladies First Breakfast to raise money for their organization. Each year, they invite donors for a moving celebration to highlight their work in the community. In 2021, Ladies First was scheduled to be a hybrid event but due to growing concerns around COVID and cancer patients, the board of directors decided to stay safe and make their signature event completely virtual 3 weeks before the scheduled date. This required flipping the agenda and finding vendors that bring their services online.

Solution: 

Virtual vendors turned this local fundraiser into a global event. 

Learn more about Charly here on his profile: The Magic Factor

AWCAA used Vendorspace to book two motivational speakers, a DJ, magician and fitness instructors for their virtual event experience. They leveraged these features from the Vendorspace platform to make their event a success:

  • Lead Generation: AWCAA took advantage of getting vendor leads through our platform. Instead of having their staff doing a blind search for potential vendors; they shared the event opportunity on Vendorspace and attracted bids from pre-vetted, qualified vendors. This helped them make quicker decisions from a pool of vendors interested in their event.
  • Diversity Filters: It was important for AWCAA to have speakers and event partners that reflected the community they serve. With a click of a button, they were able to identify vendors with specific diversity tags that matched their event. This led to finding unique vendors who participated from Mexico, Nigeria, London, and Georgia!
  • Budget Options: Finding a vendor you like is one thing; sealing the deal is another. AWCAA found it extremely helpful to have budget options built into the platform that allows you to communicate your desired spend  for the event. By communicating their budget upfront, they were able to find vendors willing to work with them at the price point they can afford.

Results: 

AWCAA raised a record-breaking amount of $64,363.58 – the most they’ve raised on any fundraiser! The event was designed as a virtual telethon with only 4 hours to raise $50,000! They leveraged the virtual vendors they selected for entertainment, special performances, motivational talks and exceeded their goals!

From the beginning to end, the vendors brought creative performances and presentations that complimented the mission of the event. The experience they created with the vendors was so moving, donations kept pouring in by the minute.  Congratulations to AWCAA for a successful fundraiser! 

The 10 Apps Every Vendor Should Have

There's no doubt technology plays a huge role in running a business. With millions of apps creating...

There’s no doubt technology plays a huge role in running a business. With millions of apps creating business hacks, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. Here are a few that stand out:

1. Hootsuite: https://hootsuite.com/

When you’re a business owner, juggling social media can be a lot. Remembering to post on all your accounts may be a bit tedious but luckily Hootsuite provides a solution to schedule and automatically post your content. Instead of hoping from Twitter to Instagram, simply add all your accounts in their dashboard and schedule for the day, week or even month! Their free plan is perfect for small business owners.

2. Canva: https://www.canva.com/

Canva is the perfect tool for easily creating designs for all your business needs. Their stunning templates save you a ton of time; all you have to do is replace the text and designs are yours! Create a Facebook ad, company brochure or even a powerpoint presentation in minutes. Its a free must have for any business owner.

3. DocuSign: https://www.docusign.com/

Long gone are the days where you have to print a contract, sign, then scan and send back to your client. That used to be such a cumbersome process especially if you didn’t have a printer or scanner handy. Now, there’s Docusign – an app that allows you to electronically manage your contracts and agreements. Simply upload the document and add the recipients email to sign or complete the document fields. This is a huge timesaver for any business and it also saves trees 🙂

4. Scanbot: https://scanbot.io/

Now that you have an easier way to sign documents, how about an easier way to scan them? Scanbot is a neat tool that you can download on your phone to professionally scan any document. Easy to use and super quick! Scan all your most important docs from receipts to reports from anywhere so long as you have this app.

5. Square: https://squareup.com/us/en

We don’t know how the world will operate after the pandemic but we do know it’s important for every business to adapt a contactless payment system. Square allows you to do just that even if you don’t have brick and mortar. Their readers can be used on any device to take credit card information so you can sell your product or service on the go.

6. Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/

Email automation and management has never been easier. If you are developing a community or simply want to keep in contact with your customers, then Mailchimp is a must-have. Upload and organize all your email contacts into one place and mass send newsletters, greetings, and more. The best part is they offer a free plan for up to 2000 email contacts; the perfect tool to help communicate with your audience. The drag-and-drop feature makes it easy to create beautiful templates even if you don’t have a degree in graphic design.

7. Zoom: https://zoom.us/

Who would have ever predicted that video conferencing would be the main form of communication in 2020. Whether you like it or not, it is. The best thing you can do for your business is adjust to the times and get a Zoom account so you can keep in touch with your clients as needed. Zoom is a great solution for conducting online webinars to discuss your product or service, client meetings to demonstrate your strategies or even virtual so you can stay connected with your community.

8. Trello: https://trello.com/

As a small business owner, you’re micro-managing a lot of projects. Having a solution that helps you list and organize each stage of your project will be the best thing that ever happened to your business. Trello does just that. Create your boards, manage tasks, add deadlines, and even assign co-workers or employees to certain projects. Easily plan your social media campaign with others or list all the people and resources needed for your next launch. Trello is very flexible and even offers a free plan to get you started in no time.

9. Intuit Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Staying on top of your taxes as a small business is very important but you don’t have to be an accounting expert to keep your books together. With Quickbooks, you can sync the software with your business account to keep a log of all your expenses and income. It saves you so much time than running through account statements like before. You can even use the tool for payroll. An all in one financial system to empower any business.

10. RescueTime: https://www.rescuetime.com/

With everyone working from home, it might be a little difficult to stay focused. RescueTime allows you to automatically track how much time you spend on websites, apps, and documents to improve productivity. Imagine having this tool for your employees. It’s a great way to understand how many hours are being spent where so you can analyze whether it’s the best use of time. Rescue your time to run a more efficient business.

Ep. 3: “Adjusting To Our New Normal”

This episode, we had the opportunity to talk to Michael Sabani of Swoogo Virtual regarding the status...

This episode, we had the opportunity to talk to Michael Sabani of Swoogo Virtual regarding the status of events and how companies nowadays are adjusting to virtual/hybrid events.

With over 10 years of experience in event tech and product marketing, he shares his thoughts on the integration of virtual events and discusses how companies are currently adapting to these changes.

In this episode, we discussed:

  • The need for virtual events ⁠
  • Why innovation in event tech is important ⁠
  • Why hybrid events are the future⁠

Listen to the full episode here:

About Michael Sabani

A former Disney Cast Member, Michael has a passion for creating amazing customer experiences from the first moment they interact with a product to the last. With almost a decade developing, marketing, and supporting both virtual meeting and event software under his belt, Michael has taken on the role of Director of Swoogo Virtual and is focused on delivering a personalized, exceptional experience to prospects, customers, and anyone who encounters the Swoogo brand. From developing and managing his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit to editing his own Star Wars prequel cut, Michael is never afraid to roll up his sleeves to create something awesome— an attitude he applies daily in the event tech space.

About Swoogo

Hearty technology, lightweight package. Swoogo combines serious event software with a platform designed for regular humans and a price structure built for modern events. What’s not to love? They specialize in: Event Registration ▪ Event Websites ▪ Event Software ▪ Event Apps ▪ Event Marketing ▪ Event Planning ▪ Event Management

Why Vendors Need Digital Advertising Now

Vendors are a part of the DNA of events.  Can you imagine a conference without a videographer?...

Vendors are a part of the DNA of events. 

Can you imagine a conference without a videographer?

A brunch without a caterer? 

A company retreat without tables and chairs?

Just because we can’t gather in large groups right now doesn’t mean that vendors should be forgotten when organizing groups online.

There are many advantages to advertising during virtual events. Here are some of them:

  1. Continue to monetize in times of economic despair.

    Let’s face it – we are living in an uncertain and challenging financial climate. Thus, staying active in your industry is imperative, not only for your current monetary situation but also for your future.

    When you advertise during virtual events you are able to bring in the same income (or near the same) that you were getting before. Technology has enabled many workers to stay relevant during this quarantine and vendors should be included in that category. Take advantage of the internet and get your money!

  2. Reach a potentially larger audience

    Have you been watching any of the “versus” music challenges on Instagram? It’s when two popular artists pit their songs against each other – in a light-hearted, fun manner – to judge whose music is better.

    Whether you’ve caught one or not, the “attendees” reach in the hundreds of thousands, far more than any concert hall could hold in person. Imagine if your brand was plugged during one of these events? Can you say “ka-ching”?

    While it is more likely to get marketing exposure during a virtual business event, digital gatherings simply reach a wider audience, especially during these times, and your brand could benefit from the larger “crowd”. Don’t underestimate the power of what virtual events can do for your company.

  3. Perfect a new strategy to implement when things go back to normal

    At some point, things will get back to the way they were before Covid-19. Face masks will come off and “non-essential” businesses will re-open. But this doesn’t mean that virtual events will go away. In fact, they may even become more popular due to the fear of Corona returning and the comfortability we have acclimated to. When this quarantine ends, part of our new normal will include digital events.

    Why not get a jump on the market and figure out now how to master the digital space?  With the way things are going now, this is a tool for your toolbox that will continue to pay off long into the future.

    An entrepreneur once said that if you want to be rich then find out which direction the world is going and get there first. You already know digital events are the new wave. Learn to ride it now so that you are ahead of the pack when others figure it out, too.

We sincerely hope you are able to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. Which digital events will you pitch your services to this month?

Vendor Care Package

There is a great quote I like about the nature of charity.  It says, “Helping one person...

There is a great quote I like about the nature of charity. 

It says, “Helping one person might not change the world, but it might change the world for one person.”

In these trying times, as much as we would like to ease the struggle of so many who are hurting, there are just too many people who are in need of assistance right now. Luckily, there are some great resources out there that could mean the world to a few vendors. 

Take a look at the list below and try to get assistance where you can. 

Good luck and please share this information with others who you think might benefit from it!

FINANCIAL SUPPORT (LOANS & GRANTS)

The Meetings Industry Fund

When life takes an unexpected turn, The Meetings Industry Fund is there with an immediate lifeline. We provide confidential financial assistance to those individuals in crisis who are directly involved in the planning, execution, delivery and support of meetings.

Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program Loan

SBA PPP loans provide financial assistance to small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 to help them keep employees on their payrolls. OnDeck is an approved SBA lender for PPP loans and is participating along with other banks and financial institutions.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

SBA Express Bridge Loan

Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.


Facebook Small Business Grants

Facebook is up to 30,000 small businesses with 2 – 50 employees loans worth up to $100 million dollars.

COVID – 19 Ancillary Costs

The HealthWell Foundation just announced a COVID-19 Fund that provides up to $250 in assistance with ancillary costs associated with COVID-19. Grants awarded through the fund will provide reimbursement assistance to at risk or quarantined individuals for delivered food, medication, telehealth copays and transportation costs associated with COVID-19.

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hello Alice’s Covid-19 Business Resource Center

Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by coronavirus

Live Nation Covid-19 Global Relief Fund For Live Music Crews

Live Nation, the world’s live entertainment company, in collaboration with the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation, a non-profit organization,has pledged an initial $5 million dollars and will match an additional $5 million pledged by artists, fans, and employees to support live music crews who have lost work during the Coronavirus.

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS

SCORE Mentoring for Small Businesses

SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring and education.
As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE provides support to entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources. Mentors are available to participate in remote mentoring sessions via phone, email, and video.

National Small Business Town Hall Series

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will team up for a sixth virtual National Small Business Town Hall to help small business owners alike navigate the programs that are available to them.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council – Local Chapter Support For Small Businesses

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs. They have local chapters around the nation providing support for women entrepreneurs. 

Start Small Think Big

A great non-profit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs is on the pulse of posting information about workshops and resources needed during Covid-19.

*You can also check with your local small business development organization for more workshops.* 

MENTAL HEALTH

How To Best Manage Coronavirus Anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has made the effort to compile a comprehensive guide to managing anxiety and/or depression during these times.

How To Best Control Your Time During Covid-19

The American Psychiatric Association offers helpful tips on how to control and manage your time during Covid-19.

World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Considerations

The ever-important World Health Organization has provided a 6-page document outlining factors and elements to look for while experiencing this pandemic.

Self-Screening for Mental Health

A national non-profit, Mental Health America, has created a self-screening test for individuals to take to determine where they stand on the mental health spectrum. 

PHYSICAL HEALTH AND FITNESS

Classpass

Stream thousands of live or on-demand workouts from top studios around the world. Try everything from yoga to strength training to HIIT and more.

Gymcube

GymCube membership unlocks the resources you need to lose fat, tone up, increase fitness, gain strength and lead a healthier, happier lifestyle. Burn calories at home with online exercise classes like HIIT, Abs, Combat, Dance (similar to Zumba), Indoor Spin Cycling, Yoga and Pilates.

Alo Moves

Get access to unlimited yoga, fitness, and meditation classes for only $20 a month, featuring the likes of Dylan Werner, Sri Dharma Mittra, and Melini Jesudason. 

I hope you find something useful on this list. Remember, we are all in this together. Please share any additional resources you think our community can benefit from. 

Take care.

A Thankful Review

  Hey Vendorspace Family! Happy 2019! Last year was quite the ride for us. We were focused...

 

Hey Vendorspace Family!

Happy 2019! Last year was quite the ride for us. We were focused on finding our position in the market and building out our platform (which is coming very very soon!) We even received an award in Cali! ( Can you believe our little startup is making noise!? ha!). Here’s our top 5 favorite moments from 2018:

1. Atlanta Tech Edge TV Segment

2. Named 2018 Female TechTrender at FestForums in Santa Barbara

3. Hangin’ out with the team

4. ATV It Takes A Village Graduation

5. Kicking off Eventology with the local event community

It’s such a blessing to see the growth of the company. Thank you to everyone that has ever mentioned us to a friend, referred us to an opportunity or simply googled us and signed up on the spot. We wouldn’t have made it this far with your support.

There’s so much lined up for the year! We have more great events and partnerships to be announced in the coming weeks.

Let’s make 2019 amazing.

Til the next event,

Ify Ifebi & The Vendorspace Team