Small-business help and local holiday shopping come together in Bethlehem on November 4 at ToastiQueen’s Fueling Business Growth event and the Home for the Holidays Podcast Holiday Marketplace.
Tiffany Sondergaard, CEO and principal consultant of –ts Brand Elevation, joins George Wacker on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast to explain how the evening connects business owners with practical resources while giving shoppers a chance to support local, women-owned businesses.
Legal, banking and payroll resources for small businesses
Whether someone is building a side business or working to grow an established one, Tiffany discusses the questions that can come up along the way: opening a business account, understanding contracts, preparing for financing, managing payroll and finding the right professional support.
The Small Business Resource Roundup will include brief expert overviews followed by roundtable conversations. Experts will rotate among guest tables, giving attendees a chance to ask specific questions in smaller groups.
In the interview, Tiffany highlights:
- Deborah Carey of Community Bank, discussing business banking and available resources.
- Cheryl Cusati Duran of Auris, discussing payroll.
- Jose Collado of Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, discussing small-business funding resources.
- Brandon Kelly of A.I.M.E., which stands for Apprenticeship, Internship, Mentorship and Entrepreneurship.
- Danielle Adams-Wiltshire of QueenSuite, discussing professional development.
- Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, along with accounting and legal resources.
Tiffany also mentions event partner Venture X Bethlehem and explains how interior designer Wandra Neal Cain of WCA Interiors will help attendees think about the first impression their virtual backgrounds make.
A holiday marketplace for shopping local
The Home for the Holidays Podcast Holiday Marketplace adds local shopping to the evening, featuring women-owned businesses and a chance to meet the people behind the products.
Tiffany previews offerings including Bethlehem stars, fragrance products, chocolates and Caribbean food. In the interview, she also invites businesses interested in vending to contact her at tiffany@tsbrandelevation.com.
Home for the Holidays: shop small and share big
The marketplace connects with Home for the Holidays: ’Tis the Season to Shop Small and Share Big, the podcast Tiffany co-hosts with WDIY Executive Director Margaret McConnell.
Tiffany explains how the show explores different gift themes, interviews local business owners and highlights other businesses that fit each category.
Event information and tickets
- Event: Fueling Business Growth + Home for the Holidays Podcast Holiday Marketplace
- Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Time: 5–8 p.m.
- Location: Courtyard by Marriott Bethlehem, 2220 Emrick Boulevard, Bethlehem, PA 18020
- General admission: $35 plus a ticket service fee
Get tickets and event information
PRESENTED BY BANKO BEVERAGE CO.
The 12-Foot-Tall Skeleton Crawl Is Back
Explore the community-built map of Halloween displays across the Lehigh Valley and check out the limited-edition It Came From the Lehigh River shirts created with Bethlehem artist Thymes Zup.
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