A vendor recently reached out and asked a question that hits home for a lot of us:
“How do I stay focused on my own product when someone at the market is selling the same (or super similar) thing? And what do I do when people walk by saying things like ‘I can make that at home’ or ‘My aunt does this too’ — it makes me feel like they’re devaluing my work.”
Let’s talk about it.
The Competition Conundrum
It’s natural to get a little prickly when you spot another booth with products that overlap yours. You work hard, you take pride in what you create — and it can feel personal when someone else steps into “your lane.”
But here’s the truth: markets will have overlap. What makes your booth special isn’t just the product — it’s YOU. Your style, your energy, your story, your presentation, your customer experience. Those things can’t be replicated, even if your neighbor’s selling something that looks similar from 10 feet away.
Instead of going into defense mode, ask yourself:
- What can I learn from what they’re doing well?
- What sets my work apart — and how can I highlight that even more clearly?
- What new twist, display, or idea can I try next time?
Personally, I don’t mind a bit of competition. Sometimes, it’s the push I need to step out of my comfort zone and get creative. I’ve even made great vendor friends selling “competing” items — and we cheered each other on all season long.
When Customers Say Things That Sting
Let’s be real: we’ve all had someone say something that made us want to scream into a tote bag.
“Oh, I could do that at home.”
“My sister makes those all the time.”
“I’m taking a picture so my husband can make me one.”
Yep, been there. As a female metal artist, people used to ask all the time, “Who does your welding for you?” As if I couldn’t possibly be the one wielding the torch.
Those comments can feel like slaps — but they usually aren’t meant that way. Most of the time, people don’t realize how dismissive they’re being. They’re just making conversation, trying to connect their experience to yours, even if it lands sideways.
So what do you do?
You smile, breathe, and reclaim the narrative.
Try something like:
- “That’s awesome! I bet your sister would love how I use [insert technique/material here] — it really takes it up a notch.”
- “Welding is one of my favorite parts of the process — there’s something powerful about creating with fire and steel.”
- “There’s a lot more to this than meets the eye — happy to walk you through what goes into it!”
You don’t need to convince everyone. The right customers will see your value, your skill, your vibe — and they’ll come back for more.
Final Thought: Eyes on Your Own Booth
Markets are full of moments that test our confidence. The trick is to keep your focus on what you bring to the table.
Refine your craft. Sharpen your storytelling. Celebrate your wins. Learn from your losses. And remember: the only real competition is yesterday’s version of you.
Now go out there and be your own kind of unstoppable.
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Got a question for the Booth Boss?
Email me— we’re all in this together.
Cynthia Freese (She, Her, Hers)
The Friendly Godmother of Made in Iowa
319 775 0458 MarionSun.com
