b'CREATIVE COLLABORATIONSDenyse Nadon and Angie Sarsons of Tribalure Canada view CCAB events as excellent opportunities to strengthen bonds within their community while promoting their skincare and cosmetics linefor us that we dont even realize it a lot of times. So for us, part of the reason we came was to honour their efforts by showing up.In the end, it proved an astute business decision, giving Sarsons and Nadon a chance to connectand reconnectwith their peers. This included Dawn Madahbee-Leach, general manager for the Waubetek Business Development Corporation. Madahbee-Leach had earlier contracted Sarsons and Nadon when they were running a consulting business in the early 2000s. Dawn was one of the first people to hire us, so it was so nice to see her again and for her to see the next level that weve taken with our work, says Sarsons. She also loves our Raven Quill Feather Eyeliner, so that was a plus!Sarsons and Nadon say the key to getting a large crowd of people interested in a product at a trade show is to engage with attendees throughout the day and attend all the social and networking events. Most importantly, they say, you need to get away from the booth to start conversations. This approach has helped the pair connect with several major companies and learn of new opportunities. Theres a domino effect that happens during these kinds of shows, says Nadon. Wed go to the CCAB dinner and gala, and the next thing you know, were recon-necting with many people we know, and theyre learning about our business.Its one thing to sit at a booth all day, continues Nadon, but youre busy doing transactions and you might not have time to chat. Thats where going to the evening eventsthe galas, the dinners, the award showsand sitting down with people can make things happen. You just have to realize that these people are human; theyre your peers and they care for Indigenous entrepreneurs.Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 53'