Hello Scribes,
A couple weeks ago I went to the Farmers Market close to my home to pick up some veggies before the season ended. My hands were full of my goodies when I turned around and saw a display of beautifully crafted handmade jewelry. I was intrigued by what I saw but more excited to stop at the booth when I saw that I knew one of the people in the tent. "Hey Brother" I greeted Alonzo with a hug.
"Sister you remember Lisa?"
"Did you make all of this?" I directed my question to his Fiancee.
I smiled when she affirmed that in fact she had made everything in the booth. I walked around to partake in all of the eye candy and made mental notes of what I wanted to buy later. I coveted a few necklaces and earrings before I saw her handmade trees. Lisa explained to me about her specialty, the tree of life. "In every religion the tree has a significance for the faith. I liken the tree to the family, if the roots are not strong, the branches will die. Families need to be strong." Her analogy of the tree caused me to reflect on the roots of dandelions which I have studied and write about often.
Lisa then began to tell me that there are some people who refuse to support her business. We filmed a periscope to discuss those concerns. Although I was agitated be the truth of her experience, I was not surprised. It is true that as a business owner people may look at my picture and be turned off just as they look at her table, raise their eyes and walk past her.
I understand having preferences as a consumer. I am loyal to businesses when I find someone who provides a good product and better service. If they know my name and tailor products to me that gives even more of an edge to stay connected with them. I shop mostly at the same online stores, grocery stores and vendors mainly because I'm a creature of habit and don't seek out new things unless they are brought to my attention. (I'm working on that...).
Lisa taught me three things during my time in her booth by sharing experiences of what has happened to her as a small business owner. I was frustrated and enlightened at the same time:
1.) "People at other fairs or markets use material with less quality than I do and people who look like me will walk past me to support them."
Well this isn't a race issue, it is more of a "confidence in your ability as a business owner to give me quality products because I don't know if you can" issue. I have had bad business experience from people of all races. I try to support women Nd minority business owners because I believe "When I see my sister, I see myself." I don't want people walking past me to talk to another author when I know that the books I sell can unlock dreams. I try to give people something to remember me by so they will want to talk to me also.
2.) "I studied jewelry making from a real jeweler when I was in the Army."
So what she was saying was that in order to be respected in your business you need to study, learn from masters in your field and practice until you perfect the skill. I guess you can't see experience or training when you look at a person. But stopping to ask questions can go a long way sometimes. Lisa Tabb has put in the work to be as good as she is as a jewelry designer. We all should do find ways to put in the work to hone our craft.
3.) "I'm going to be vending in some other places once the Farmer's Market closes."
Just because you don't succeed in one market does not mean that you should close up shop and give up on your dreams. To make your business mobile allows you to expose your gifts to new audiences who may not judge you by how you look, but by how well you do your work.
Check out Lisa on Facebook at Lisa Tabb Designs.
Give them something to remember you,
A couple weeks ago I went to the Farmers Market close to my home to pick up some veggies before the season ended. My hands were full of my goodies when I turned around and saw a display of beautifully crafted handmade jewelry. I was intrigued by what I saw but more excited to stop at the booth when I saw that I knew one of the people in the tent. "Hey Brother" I greeted Alonzo with a hug.
"Sister you remember Lisa?"
"Did you make all of this?" I directed my question to his Fiancee.
I smiled when she affirmed that in fact she had made everything in the booth. I walked around to partake in all of the eye candy and made mental notes of what I wanted to buy later. I coveted a few necklaces and earrings before I saw her handmade trees. Lisa explained to me about her specialty, the tree of life. "In every religion the tree has a significance for the faith. I liken the tree to the family, if the roots are not strong, the branches will die. Families need to be strong." Her analogy of the tree caused me to reflect on the roots of dandelions which I have studied and write about often.
Lisa then began to tell me that there are some people who refuse to support her business. We filmed a periscope to discuss those concerns. Although I was agitated be the truth of her experience, I was not surprised. It is true that as a business owner people may look at my picture and be turned off just as they look at her table, raise their eyes and walk past her.
I understand having preferences as a consumer. I am loyal to businesses when I find someone who provides a good product and better service. If they know my name and tailor products to me that gives even more of an edge to stay connected with them. I shop mostly at the same online stores, grocery stores and vendors mainly because I'm a creature of habit and don't seek out new things unless they are brought to my attention. (I'm working on that...).
Lisa taught me three things during my time in her booth by sharing experiences of what has happened to her as a small business owner. I was frustrated and enlightened at the same time:
1.) "People at other fairs or markets use material with less quality than I do and people who look like me will walk past me to support them."
Well this isn't a race issue, it is more of a "confidence in your ability as a business owner to give me quality products because I don't know if you can" issue. I have had bad business experience from people of all races. I try to support women Nd minority business owners because I believe "When I see my sister, I see myself." I don't want people walking past me to talk to another author when I know that the books I sell can unlock dreams. I try to give people something to remember me by so they will want to talk to me also.
2.) "I studied jewelry making from a real jeweler when I was in the Army."
So what she was saying was that in order to be respected in your business you need to study, learn from masters in your field and practice until you perfect the skill. I guess you can't see experience or training when you look at a person. But stopping to ask questions can go a long way sometimes. Lisa Tabb has put in the work to be as good as she is as a jewelry designer. We all should do find ways to put in the work to hone our craft.
3.) "I'm going to be vending in some other places once the Farmer's Market closes."
Just because you don't succeed in one market does not mean that you should close up shop and give up on your dreams. To make your business mobile allows you to expose your gifts to new audiences who may not judge you by how you look, but by how well you do your work.
Check out Lisa on Facebook at Lisa Tabb Designs.
Give them something to remember you,
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