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06/23/2017 12:00 AMMore than 30 young entrepreneurs from across Connecticut had the opportunity to showcase their small business ventures and gain hands-on experience at the second annual YASBIZ Vendor Marketplace held June 8 at Vista Life Innovations​' Madison campus.
YASBIZ​ is a network of Connecticut young adult and mental health service agencies that support individuals in creating small businesses, allowing them to practice the skills necessary to be successful in "real world" work environments. A total of 32 entrepreneurs and 15 agencies participated in the event, which saw about 200 attendees-nearly double the attendance of last year's marketplace.
From jewelry and body care products to meditation CDs and original artwork, the marketplace was alive with creativity, enthusiasm and pride.
"I have nearly 1,000 comics," Josh with Roses for Autism explained in presenting his comic book business. "My friend got me interested in comics, and I just kept buying and collecting them. The oldest comic I have is from 1965."
The event was hosted by Vista in partnership with Street Smart Ventures, Bridges, Marrakech, Inc. and Bridgeport Young Adult Services.
With campuses in Madison, Westbrook and Guilford, Vista is a nationally accredited post-secondary program that supports the personal success of individuals with disabilities.