HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – There’s a lot that goes into starting a large or small-scale business.

Experienced business owners in the Hub City shared bits of wisdom and knowledge at a networking event set up by Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

“We have 27 vendors who have come tonight so that they can showcase their products services and merchandise and just get more exposure,” sorority member Kecia Jones said.

Jennifer James opened Angel Rose Aesthetic & Wellness in 2020.

The clinic is now her full-time job after she left her 9-to-5 in 2022.

“Once there was a need to be in my business full-time to promote it, that’s when I stepped away,” James said. “For two years now, I have been in my business full-time, and it has been growing each and every month.”

James said the Hattiesburg community has shown much love to the clinic over the past four years.

But she wants aspiring businessmen and women to understand that keeping your doors open isn’t as easy as it seems.

“We have to give them the framework to start the business and just know that a little bit goes a long way,” James said. “So, just making sure you’re making those small steps and planning everything out.”

Rita Mitchell with the USM Small Business Development Center believes Hattiesburg is a hot spot for creatives.

Whether it be t-shirts or caps for your head, there seems to be room for everyone to thrive.

“Anybody can have a side hustle,” Mitchell said. “Anybody can begin doing that: kids-age, college-age.”

Mitchell said it’s all about finding your niche.

Once you’ve done that, the center is there to help take it from thought to reality.

“Schedule counseling, ask to become a client, check out our site,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got lots of resources there.”

You can find information on those resources by clicking HERE.

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