Running a business is hard. Whether your company is big or small, sometimes you just need a little help.

That’s the view of the Island County Economic Development Council and one of their prime vehicles to provide assistance is the Uniquely Whidbey Business Expo, now in its 15th year.

Spread over three buildings on the Coupeville High School campus, the event last weekend brought together 135 exhibitors plus a waiting list of another 14 – there just wasn’t any more room.

“Those exhibiting this year have signed up for next,” said EDC executive director Sharon Hart.

“Supporting local businesses is what we do and it was very successful,” she said.

Michael Casey certainly agreed with that. On Oct. 1, he opened a new chiropractic clinic in Freeland and was busy giving spinal screenings.

“We’ve met lots of people and made numerous contacts here at the Expo,” he said. “No bookings yet but a lot of sincere interest.”

Casey and his wife had wanted to move to Whidbey Island for three years and are glad they did.

“This is a wonderful place, for us and for my business,” Casey said.

Across the aisle, Bill Tucker of Clinton’s Whidbey South Woodworks has done deck restorations and floor refinishing for 33 years.

“People ask me, ‘Can this deck be saved?’ and I respond that I have no idea; let’s go look at it,” he said. “Most folks have no building experience and in most cases a deck can be saved, not torn down.”

Tucker said he was pleased with the show.

“The people we’ve talked with are here for a reason, very tuned in with the small business climate on the island,” Tucker said.

Originally a business-to-business event, the show has expanded as business owners seek new customers.

“The public wanted to meet the businesses and the businesses wanted to better market their capabilities to the local market,” Hart said.

She noted the event is a great chance for business people to network. For many vendors, this is the only trade show they’re involved with.

Hart pointed out that even owner-operated businesses can benefit by exhibiting.

A good example is Frank Cargill, who runs his Computer Doctor business from his home in Greenbank.

“Most of the time I deal with hard drive failures, spyware infections or just bad software downloaded from the Internet,” he explained.

Cargill charges a flat rate of $85 and works on both PCs and Macs.

“I’ve been surprisingly busy both days,” Cargill said. “A lot of people have stopped by.”

Nearby, Interstate Label president Cliff Bjork echoed that thought.

“This is a chance to let people know my company’s here in Freeland and have a product they might need,” Bjork said.

There were concerns the poor weather would keep people away, but that didn’t happen.

“I think it might have helped a bit,” Hart said. “There were crowds in every aisle.”

When Carpet One in Oak Harbor decided to expand their operation to the South End, they made sure to get a booth at the Expo.

“It’s been a great show for us,” Frank Nelson said. “We needed to let folks from South Whidbey know we have a showroom in Freeland now.”

Besides carpet, the company sells granite, tile, hardwood laminate and solid surface material, like Corian.

Scott Lincoln of Lincoln Computers in Clinton admitted they don’t sell many products at the show; at least not right away.

“The next two months will tell us how we did,” Lincoln said.

Next to the glittering display of laptops and cell phones, Lincoln showed his artistic side – he fashions pens from exotic materials like madrona, maple, alder and rattlesnake skin.

“They’re beautiful, not to mention being a reliable backup for computers,” Lincoln said.

The cost for a booth is $250; anyone interested in securing a space next year can contact Hart at 1-888-506-7999.