Balfour Beatty brings "sense of community" to Sheppard Published Oct. 19, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office brought a "sense of community" to servicemembers at Sheppard Oct. 16 during the Home Based Business Expo. "Because we're at a training base and there are so many people moving in and out all the time we wanted to build a sense of community for them by bringing out a part of 'home'," said Kellie Hubbard, a LifeWorks coordinator and resident specialist for BBC. "We hope to help build relationships among the servicemembers." The event was designed for any military housing resident at Sheppard to present home based products and services. "This served as a common place for the community members to expose their neighbors to services and products sold out of their homes," she said. Vanessa Esquibel, a Silpada designs representative, said, "I think it's really good for the stay-at-home moms that can't get the exposure they need otherwise. It's a great idea that benefits everybody." Products and services displayed included make-up, day care services, party planning and even baby quilts. Advertising these items at the expo benefits both the buyer and seller, she said. "For example, one person may have been using a certain product or service at their previous locations and won't know where to find it here. At the expo they're able to find out if their neighbors sell what they're looking for," Mrs. Hubbard said. She said, the turnout this year was very good. "We're planning to hold this event again in the spring and every year after this. Hopefully, the next turnouts will be as good as this year's," Mrs. Hubbard said.