My Honest Experience Exhibiting at Business Fest SW (As a Creative Business Owner)
Last week, I did something I’ve never done before: I exhibited at my very first business expo.
Armed with a sparkly curtain, a screen-printed banner, a stack of flyers, and a handful of goodie bags, I headed to Business Fest SW to set up my stand. It was colourful, creative, and unapologetically me.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect – only that I wanted to make the most of the day, meet some brilliant people, and create a space that felt warm, inviting, and aligned with the heart of my brand. What I got in return was so much more than I’d anticipated: meaningful conversations, unexpected insights, and a deeper appreciation for what it really means to show up with brand confidence.
Now that I’ve had a few days (and lots of cups of tea) to process, I wanted to share a bit about what the experience taught me – from the emotional side of putting yourself out there, to the practical takeaways I’ll carry with me into future events.
Why I Chose to Exhibit at Business Fest SW
Exhibiting at an event like this was something I’d been curious about for a while. I’d seen other businesses use expos as a way to grow their visibility, build relationships, and connect with the kind of people they most want to work with – and I wondered if it could be a good fit for Me & Spirit Creative, too.
When I found out about Business Fest South West, something about it just clicked. It wasn’t just the scale of the event (though it’s one of the biggest in the region), it was the vibe. They had Notworking Networking running the networking area complete with tarot readings and back massages, and a line-up of exhibitors that included creative, purpose-led businesses that felt right up my street. I could instantly imagine myself there, chatting to people who cared about doing meaningful work – and making it feel good along the way.
But I also knew I didn’t want to show up in the usual way. I wasn’t interested in a corporate-looking stand or generic bullet points on a pop-up banner. I wanted to create a space that felt like me – creative, welcoming, and full of personality. A place where people could feel instantly at ease, even in a big, noisy venue.
So I left the table behind and opted for an open, stand-up design: a sparkly curtain, big bold messaging, a photo of Spirit the cat, and thoughtfully designed flyers and goodie bags to share with people who felt like a good fit.
What Really Happened on the Day
Spoiler alert: not everything went exactly as I imagined. But that’s where the magic happened.
A few people asked if I was a tarot reader or a spiritual coach. And honestly? I didn’t mind that at all.
I love a bit of woo. I work best with heart-led, values-driven, creative small businesses – the kind of people who believe in purpose just as much as profit. And it turns out, the people who were drawn to the colour, the sparkle, and the cat? They were exactly the kind of people I love to work with.
They were curious, thoughtful, and open-hearted. Creatives, coaches, and small business owners doing meaningful work – and trying to figure out how to share it with clarity and confidence.
I had so many conversations that started with:
“I don’t think my brand really reflects what I do.”
“I’ve grown a lot, but my visuals haven’t caught up.”
“I don’t know how to bring all the parts of my business together.”
They were completely aligned with my ideal client personas. And it reminded me how common it is to feel stuck, disjointed, or just a bit unsure about how your brand shows up in the world.
What I Learned About Brand Confidence
As someone who works behind the scenes on other people’s brands, showing up this publicly with my own was a bit of a leap. But as soon as the doors opened and people started arriving, something shifted.
I found myself in conversation after conversation – not just about logos or visuals, but about what it means to run a values-driven business. About the challenge of expressing who you are when your business is so personal. About how hard it can be to talk about your work in a way that feels natural and true.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I realised something:
This is what brand confidence really looks like.
Not flashy. Not overly polished.
Not having all the answers.
But being able to show up as yourself, speak clearly about what you do, and connect with the people who need it.
That’s the kind of branding I believe in and what I help my clients do.
There were a few moments during the day that made me smile for a completely different reason. I noticed some of the more “business-y business men” – you know the type – look at my stand, tilt their heads, and move swiftly along. One of them even frowned and shook his head.
And do you know what? That’s a good thing.
Your brand should attract the right people AND gently repel the wrong ones. I’m not here to appeal to everyone. I’m here for the creatives, the purpose-led founders, the dreamers, the doers, the ones who want to build something real. So if a few suits wander past without making eye contact, that just tells me I’m doing something right.
A Few Favourite Moments
There were so many lovely moments throughout the day – and in the lead-up to it – that reminded me just how powerful in-person connection can be.
The number of people who lit up when we started talking strategy – not just design or logos, but the deeper stuff like purpose, clarity, and how to bring all the different parts of a business together.
The thoughtful comments I got about the styling of my stand and contents of the goodie bags.
The people who smiled when they spotted Spirit the cat – whether they asked if I was a tarot reader or just appreciated the magic.
The wonderful little video I had made by Pangea TV who offered it as a free gift (such a lovely surprise!).
The fellow exhibitors I connected with – not just on the day, but through the networking sessions leading up to the event.
The potential collaborations that sparked from a single chat – people who just got what I do and could see ways our work might support each other.
And of course, I couldn’t have done it without my amazing friend Vikki, who came along to support me for the day. She chatted to visitors, held the fort when I was mingling, and generally brought the most wonderful calm, supportive energy to the stand. She’s my biggest cheerleader, and having her there made all the difference.
Would I Exhibit Again? Here’s the Truth
Honestly? I think I would.
It obviously depends on what comes next – whether any of the conversations I had turn into client projects or collaborations. But even if they don’t, I walked away feeling like it was time and energy well spent.
Because here’s the thing: this wasn’t just a marketing activity. It was a moment of visibility, of showing up with intention, of putting my brand into the world as it truly is – and seeing how people responded.
And they did respond.
People stopped. Smiled. Stepped into the space I’d created. Asked thoughtful questions. Shared where they were feeling stuck. And actually sighed with relief when I told them they didn’t have to pretend to be something they weren’t or niche into
For me, that’s success. Not because I had the busiest stand or the flashiest setup, but because the people who needed to find me did. And they felt seen.
But I do think I’d do it again – because it gave me so much insight. It helped me see my brand through other people’s eyes. It made me reflect on how much I’ve grown. And it reminded me that even if not everyone “gets it,” the right people will.
Tips for Creatives Exhibiting at a Business Expo
If you're considering taking the plunge and exhibiting at a business expo, here are a few things I learned from my first time that might help you feel more prepared – and more confident.
1. Make your message instantly clear
People don’t stop and read at expos – they glance. You have about three seconds to communicate who you are and what you do. Even though I kept my message simple: ‘Strategic branding and design for passion-led small businesses’, people were obviously overwhelmed with the amount of stands and information so it still took a little explaining. I’d probably try and make the fact that I offer branding even more prominent.
2. Design your space to feel like you
While doing some research for my stall I noticed most stands I saw had tables, roller banners, and a wall of text. I made a conscious decision to skip the table, keep the layout open, and let the visuals and tone of voice reflect my brand’s personality.
As a result, I thought my space felt more inviting, and people were drawn in. Several people told me they stopped because it looked different.
3. Use a small, thoughtful freebie to encourage connection
I created goodie bags with pin badges of Spirit the cat and mini sketchbooks with my brand pattern – and they went down a treat. People loved them, asked questions about them, and remembered me for them.
It wasn’t about handing out “stuff” – it was about creating a thoughtful touchpoint that reflected the care I bring to my work.
4. Give people an easy reason to stay in touch
I ran a giveaway to win a Brand Clarity Kickstart session. It gave people a low-pressure way to connect, and it meant I could keep the conversation going afterwards.
Not everyone will be ready to book on the day – but they might be ready later, especially if they’ve already had a positive interaction with you.
5. Don’t be afraid to repel the wrong people
It’s tempting to try to appeal to everyone – but that’s not the goal. I had a few “not my people” moments (a shake of the head from a suited sales guy, for instance), but that only confirmed that my brand was working.
Good branding should attract and repel. And the people who did stop were lovely – and 100% the ones I want to work with.
6. Bring someone with you if you can
Having someone there makes a huge difference. My friend Vikki came with me and was an absolute star – chatting to people, holding the fort, and being my quiet hype woman throughout the day.
My husband described her as my “waiting room person” – someone to keep the conversation flowing when I was already chatting with someone else. It made everything feel less rushed, less awkward, and far more welcoming.
It also meant I could step away to recharge or mingle without worrying I was missing opportunities.
Final Thoughts on Showing Up and Standing Out
Exhibiting at Business Fest South West was never about chasing quick wins or walking away with a full project calendar. For me, it was about showing up as myself, in full colour and sparkles, and seeing how people responded.
It reminded me that branding isn’t just about looking good on a screen. It’s about how your business feels when someone walks past – or better yet, steps in. It’s about how clearly you can communicate what you stand for, and how confidently you can take up space in the world as the business owner you’re becoming.
I didn’t speak to everyone. I wasn’t for everyone. But the people who were drawn to my stand? They were exactly the kind of people I want to work with. And that’s what makes me feel like this day was a success.
So if you're considering exhibiting – and you're not sure whether you're "ready" or whether your brand is polished enough – this is your gentle nudge to go for it. You don’t need to be the loudest in the room. You just need to be clear, intentional, and unapologetically yourself.
And if you’re still figuring out how to get there, well… that’s what I’m here for.
