When Brittany McNeal started her own business building collapsible bars for events, she was disheartened to learn how expensive it is to be a vendor at a curated market. As the owner of Lonnie Eli & Co., she was determined to create an event that would offer an affordable platform to support women-owned small businesses.
With a background in events, McNeal felt like she was the right fit to start something. After the death of her cousin, Fallon, McNeal founded HERplace in her honor. HERplace is a nonprofit foundation that empowers women to be seen and heard. HERplace hosts events throughout the year to support women-owned small businesses–especially those owned by military spouses and veteran entrepreneurs. As a military spouse, she relates to the unique challenges of building a community and connecting personally and professionally after each move.
Vendors at the September HERplace market included bakers, jewelers, an interior designer and various artists. HERplace also gave away two $500 business scholarships in honor of McNeal’s cousin.
McNeal’s goal with founding HERplace was to “build a table where every woman belongs.”
Unlocking Creativity
McNeal’s own business, Lonnie & Eli Co., began when she started creating custom furniture out of necessity because of her family’s frequent moves with the military. During one of her husband’s deployments, she started building custom pieces from scratch. She loves being in her garage and working on her pieces.
“That is where the magic happens,” she says.
McNeal finds the work healing, and it helped her rebuild her own confidence by giving her purpose outside of being a mom and military spouse.
Future Growth
McNeal wants to bring women together more frequently by eventually acquiring a permanent space for HERplace. An even bigger dream is to someday expand HERplace outside of Colorado Springs to military bases across the United States.
Connect with the organization through the HERplace website or follow along on social media for the latest information.
Website: https://lonnieeliandco.com/herplace
Facebook + Instagram: @LonnieEliAndCoEvents