So far, Sydney Schneider is enjoying life as a new entrepreneur.

In late January, the Jonesburg resident started her business, Scents By Syd, which sells soy wax wood wick candles. Since then, it has caught the attention of many customers.

“I sold quite a few candles,” Schneider said. “In the first week, I think I sold over 80 candles, which took me by surprise. I didn’t expect to sell that many.”

On Feb. 8, Schneider got to display her business at the First Annual Galentine’s Bash at the Allen Events Center. Scents By Syd was among several local businesses that were part of the four-hour event.

Other businesses included Varsity Ink - The Boutique, Hayloft Artist, Orchid + Outlaw Boutique, The Bottom Ground, Chloe’s Esthetics. Hoot Owl Homestead, Glaser Hollow Woodworking, Abundant Grace & Yard – Chunky Blankets, Psalm 31:25 and Red Aspen.

“There are so many good vendors here,” Schneider said. “I was excited to be here.”

Jolene Rodgers, who owns the Varsity Ink, was in charge of the Galentine’s Bash. She said the event gave her the opportunity to showcase her Valentine’s collection as well as young entrepreneurs.

“I was a young entrepreneur once and I know how hard it is, so I wanted to give these guys a leg up,” Rodgers said.

Also, there was a Galentine’s Walk in downtown Montgomery City, where residents shopped at BelleEve Boutique, Fox and Fern Furnishings, Montgomery Hardware, Rugged Root Coffee Shop and Montgomery Florist.

Schneider, a 2016 Montgomery County High graduate, was invited by Rodgers to come to the Galentine’s Bash just a week after making a social media post about her business.

“After I posted it on Facebook, I think someone shared it with her and then she messaged me,” Schneider said. “I was super excited to come.”

Rodgers’ daughter, Meredith Rodgers, is the owner of Hayloft Artist, which sells portraits, wine bottles, earrings and lucky pennies. Meredith graduated from Montgomery County High School in 2021.

Another 2021 MCHS graduate, Korrin Zerr, is the owner of the Bottom Ground, which is a flower shop. It started last year.

“I grew up in Hermann, which is the bottom ground,” Zerr said. “So we do a lot of our crops and everything. That’s where I grew up and that’s what I do. Hopefully, one day I’ll do more than just flowers. I’m kind of starting to do a little bit more of the ag side of things.”

Psalm 31:25 is a hand-painted rug business by Montgomery County senior Ava Rakers. She buys rugs from stores such as Wal-Mart and Target and hand paints them. The business will help raise money for her to go to Hannibal-LaGrange University, where she plans to play volleyball.

“Business has been great,” Rakers said.

Glaser Hollow Woodworking is based in the Owensville area and is owned by brothers Blaine and Evan Reed. It makes handmade wooden products from the Reeds’ farm.

“We started selling them about two years ago at Christmas time because I crashed my car and I needed to get a lot of money fast,” said Blaine, who is a senior at Missouri State University. “It kind of grew from there.”

Chloe’s Esthetics is owned by Chloe Kaminski, a licensed esthetician who graduated from MCHS just two years ago.