Iwakuni Business Directory

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Spring Fair only a month away!

Only a month away! We still have a couple of vendor tables left, if you are interested! Send an email to ihbomembership@gmail.com.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Eight vendor tables still available

There are currently eight vendor tables available for the March 22 Craft and Information Fair at MCAS Iwakuni's Crossroads Mall. For more information log on to our IHBO Events page.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Fair registration meeting tonight

If you are planning to be a vendor at the March 22 (tentative - waiting for base approval) Craft and Information Fair, the meeting to register and choose your table is at 6 p.m. tonight in the MCAS Iwakuni library, on the third floor of Building 411. You can find more information here:http://www.iwakunibusinessdirectory.blogspot.jp/p/events.html. Also, crafters and home-based business owners are invited to join the Iwakuni Home-Based Business Owners Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/IwakuniHBO/

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Spring Craft and Information Fair in the works

Plans are currently being made for the spring MCAS Iwakuni Craft and Information Fair. If you are interested in participating as a vendor, please send an email to ihbomembership@gmail.com.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Craft and Info Fair Feedback and Spring Planning Meeting Dec. 9

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the IHBO meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at the MCAS Iwakuni station library. We will discuss feedback from November's Craft and Information Fair, what worked, what didn't, and make note of suggestions for the next fair. We will also talk about setting a date for the Spring fair.

If you have questions before the meeting, send an email to ihbomembership@gmail.com.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday!

Support your local home-based businesses this holiday season! Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30 and you can help out by shopping "local," with fellow MCAS Iwakuni residents who provide unique products and services. Click on any of the tabs above to get started "shopping" the businesses available right here on base! Your community will appreciate it!

Wondering how Small Business Saturday got started three years ago? Check out this story from the Long Prairie Leader, a newspaper in a small community that depends on small business:

In 2010, after nearly three years of recession, the giant company American Express decided to try to do something to help small businesses survive.

American Express designated the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. On this day, consumers are asked to shop at independent retailers and other small businesses, especially those that carry goods made in the USA. This year, Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30.

In 2011, millions of shoppers participated in Small Business Saturday, and in 2012, estimated consumer spending for the event was estimated at $5.5 billion (Redshift Research Study, quoted by www.americanexpress.com/us/content/small-business/shop-small/about.)

WHY THE NEED FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY?

Since 2008 when the U.S. housing crash followed the banking crisis, many businesses have seen their customers disappear, as millions lost their jobs and had almost no money to spend.

This was especially true over the last five years for businesses in small towns: mom and pop grocery stores, cafes, hardware stores, beauty salons, bakeries, custom meat processors, florists, independent gas stations, embroidery services, arts and crafts boutiques, auto repair and parts stores, carpet and flooring outlets, and restaurants. It seemed that when people had to make purchases, they drove miles away to giant mass-market retailers and big-box stores, searching for the lowest prices.

Small Business Saturday falls right between Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the holiday marketing calendar. It’s a perfect day to shop.

Small businesses today have survived the recession, the demands for cost-cutting, and cautious consumers. Many owners are feeling more optimistic, and are finding ways to bring customers to their doors.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Thank you for your support!

The IHBO and Craft and Information Fair vendors would like the MCAS Iwakuni community for its support! If you weren't able to stop by Crossroads Mall Saturday, here is a look at what you missed ... many of these vendors are listed here in the business directory, so feel free to contact them if you see something you just cant live without!