Helping women unlock their potential

Tamika Lattimor shows off fashions from Stein Mart during the fashion show portion of the expo. Expo host and television personality, Angela Ramos, emceed the events during the expo. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Dennis Sipp demonstrates cookware from Health Solutions Unlimited. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Chena Jackson of Fab Bu Less Jewelry poses with her handmade creations. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Tiffany Steels of Touch by Tiffany, gives Perla Barrera of Kannapolis a chair massage. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Sandra Clagg of Mooresville shows off Sonia's Creations hair accessories, encrusted with diamond-shaped Swarovski crystals. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Cathy Washington shows how the body shapers from Abyss completely transform women's bodies, as worn by Sandra Espinosa, left. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Lancome regional makeup artist Dawn West gives Christina Poole a makeover using Lancome products. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Funny girl Angela Ramos is known for her laugh, and challenges Pam Abernathy, left, and Mike Catus, center, to a laugh-off. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com

Purses, pampering and pretty things were all enjoyed at the second annual Women's Expo and Bridal Show, held Saturday at The Event Center of Cornerstone Church in Salisbury.

The theme for the expo, "Day of the Diva," truly lived up to the experience for all who attended.

More than 50 vendors put their best products on display. From stationery, makeup, massages, jewelry, purses, caterers and party supplies, there was something for every diva.

Chena Jackson, jewelry maker and owner of Fab Bu Less Jewelry, took advantage of the vendor space, placing her favorites on display at the expo.

"It's a wonderful show," Jackson said. " I do consider myself a fabulous diva, and it's good fellowship and networking.

"It's a day to just come and be fabulous. Everyone has a diva inside and they need to unlock the potential."

Tiffany Steele, a massage therapist who owns "Touch by Tiffany," works from home and uses the expo to market her business.

"There's a lot of exposure and a lot of women," Steele said. "Most women love to pamper themselves and enjoy things like this.

"You see things here at the expo that you don't usually see or know about."

Steele and another massage therapist, Jason Harrington, were two vendors giving away free chair massages. Harrington's wife, Kristi, demonstrated facial techniques on expo attendees. Both Jason and Kristi are part of Harmony Skin and Body Works, which will soon locate to Cora Bella Salon in Kannapolis.

"This is our first year here, and I think it's been great," Kristi Harrington said. "I've gotten a lot of good contacts, and a lot of people have been asking about spa parties."

Michael Freedman and Sandra Clagg, operators of Sonia's Creations, showcased hundreds of hair clips, hairbands and more at their sparkling stand.

Each item they have for sale comes with a lot of bling. The hair clips are covered in Swavorski crystals, and each crystal is drilled into the plastic and burned, to ensure that it never falls out.

"This is top of the line," Clagg said. "You couldn't go to Saks and find anything better.

"We have something for every type of hair, no matter how thin or thick it is."

Clagg said if a stone happens to fall out, they will replace it for free.

Sonia's Creations is a wholesale company out of Mooresville, but Clagg and Freedman like to take advantage of expos to show off their handmade, high quality products.

Expo coordinator Tina Godair thought the expo would be a great idea and convenient for women in Rowan County and surrounding counties.

"There's nothing in this area for women to enjoy," Godair said. "Why do we have to drive an hour to experience something like this?

"The Event Center's tagline is 'expect the unexpected.' People come in here expecting the unexpected, and this is an excellent show, with a wide array of things for women to enjoy."

For women hoping to lose a few dress sizes, Ardyss International had a truly hands-on, or body-on product for women, offering body shaping products to slip on underneath their clothing.

"Everyone's got issues with their tissues," Diamond McSwain, with Body Magic/Ardyss, said.

Diamond and Cathy Washington put smiles on the faces of many women, and like to take advantage of the variety of clientele and vendors at expos such as the one Saturday.

"There's nothing like networking with different companies, and we're all entrepreneurs," McSwain said. "It gives everyone access to the best of both worlds — the convenience of everything under one roof and the products."

Alisha Freeman of Salisbury came out to the event Saturday "trying to feel like a diva for the day," she said.

"I'm glad I came," Freeman said. "It's been very informative, from the makeup tips to the food.

"It's the best Saturday I've had in a long time."

Allison Monk participated in the bridal show and wished the women's expo was around before she became a "Mrs."

"Everything is at your fingertips, and all in one place," she said.

Fourteen-year-old Kaitlin Mason won't be walking down the aisle anytime soon, but likes the fact that the expo caters to women of all ages.

"I really enjoyed watching the fashion show," Mason said. "My favorite part was getting a great massage, though, and I really enjoyed the food.

"I'll probably come out every year (it goes on), because my mom really enjoyed it, too."

Linda Austin of Notable Stationery said the turnout at the expo was "pretty good" for business.

"I work from home, so I depend on things like this to keep business going," Austin said.

Host of the expo, Angela Ramos, who is also a television personality featured on Jay Leno 27 times, is known for her laugh, and really got the women laughing at the expo.

"This is fabulous, and such a welcoming event," Ramos said. Ramos gave several lessons on fashion during the expo, including one on shopping for less and shopping for your body type.

"Be happy with the body you have," she said. "And you have to love yourself to be happy.

"Find who you are and be who you are. Make the clothing you. Don't be a mannequin.

"We're all the same, so why dress the same?"

Ramos is a die-hard thrift store shopper and preaches that you don't have to spend a lot of money to look fabulous.

Tina Godair and her husband, Bill, are both pastors at the church, and loved seeing such diversity among the women at the expo this year.

"It's amazing to me the amount of diversity we've had today," Bill Godair said. "It's just another way to promote harmony and peace in our community."

Tina Godair said her favorite part of the women's expo was making women feel special.

"The laughter that Angela Ramos brings to women is great," she said. "I think with women, they deal with stress every day, from being single moms, married with a spouse, a career woman. I think every woman should be able to have laughter in their lives.

"This is a chance for women to feel special and feel celebrated. Women give out constantly, and so it's a chance for their gifts to be given back to them."

Godair has already started planning for next year's expo, and it will be bigger and better.

"We're going to have a huge fashion show for kids, sponsored by local stores," she said, noting that the regular fashion show will also feature more fashions and models.

"My philosophy is, if I'm happy, then everyone's happy," Godair said. "You can see the people walking around and see the happiness. Some women forget to pamper themselves, and that's what this is all about."

Godair estimated more than 700 people attended the expo. Tickets were $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

To get involved for next year's expo, call Cornerstone Church or visit the Web site, www.cornerstone-church.net.