05/20/2026
Over the past few years, I’ve really enjoyed watching more small business vendors come into our local markets. It’s been inspiring to see so many people pursuing entrepreneurship, sharing their talents, and building something meaningful for their themselves and their families.
As the vendor community grows, it naturally brings more variety and more options for customers. That variety is one of the things that makes local markets so special.
At the same time, I’ve come to appreciate even more how important it is for us as vendors to support one another and protect the sense of community we’re all trying to build. In small towns especially, word and relationships matter, and how we speak about one another can have a real impact on people’s businesses and livelihoods.
For me personally, this journey started simply as a mom who loves baking sourdough and making tea. It has grown into a small business that helps support my family and allows my daughters to be part of something I care deeply about. I’m very grateful for that.
I try to stay focused on my own work, stay true to my values, and treat others with kindness and respect. I also really enjoy connecting with other vendors at markets and supporting their businesses whenever I can. I believe there is so much value in encouraging one another and celebrating what each person brings to the table.
At the heart of it all, I think we all want the same thing—happy customers, thriving small businesses, and strong local markets that continue to grow. I truly believe there is space for everyone, and that we all do better when we focus on supporting rather than competing or talking badly about people’s businesses.
At the end of the day, kindness and support go a long way in building a strong local community.
