LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The fifth Black Business Expo brought 25 local vendors together under the theme “from vision to victory.”
Charkeitha Flowers, a co-organizer, said the event focuses on connection and celebration.
“It’s building awareness that they’re able to not just have it as a side business, but use it as their passion and monetize off of it,” Flowers said.
Growth of local entrepreneurs
Rickey Sherfield, who helped organize the event, said his favorite part is seeing the growth of local entrepreneurs and the impact their businesses make on the community.
“See the joy of that vendor when they kind of have that support, people coming in, the engagement process, it means a lot,” Sherfield said. “So really you get to hear their story and kind of be part of their journey.”
Local business owners
Myra Clayton and her sister Carolyn Johnson are local business owners. Clayton said they’re excited to be at the expo and to meet other business owners and community members.
“We’re kind of just excited to be here and help out, and join the community, doing events and that kind of stuff,” Clayton said. “Just a hobby that we picked up and now we are really deep down in it.”
Advice for starting your own business
For those looking to start their own business, Flowers and Sherfield said to be confident and keep moving forward.
“Don’t give up, if you have that dream, that vision, it’s one of those where you kind of have to develop it, keep working on it. You have to tweak it, make some modifications, but once you kind of get it right and have the right system, then you can do what you are set off for,” Sherfield said. “At the end of the day, as long as you stay honest, and always loyal, then everybody will start supporting you and then you will get bigger than you have ever known,” Flowers said.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.