American Indians find support at business expo

By Caroline Fossi

Among friends and family, Vanessa Russell is known for her baking skills. Macadamia nut brownies and cream cheese pound cake, as well as a traditional bread pudding from her American Indian heritage, are just some of her specialties.

To capitalize on her culinary talents, the Ladson resident launched Cheraw Bakery and Designs out of her home. Now, she's hoping to expand the venture and eventually open a store.
Wednesday, she took a first step in that direction, displaying some of her homemade goods at a booth during the inaugural Native American Business Expo in North Charleston.

"I'm here to learn," she said.

Russell was among about 20 American Indian business owners who attended the event, the first of its kind in South Carolina. Attendees ranged from craft makers to uniform suppliers to industrial firms.

One of the expo's main goals was to help small businesses such as Cheraw Bakery learn about resources that can help them grow, said organizer Teresa Gore, president of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of South Carolina, which is based in Ladson.

Click here to read more: http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/28/american_indians_find_support_at_business_expo/