Today I had the opportunity to help an injured vendor set up at another local market. I was not there representing my own events. I was simply there helping someone who needed an extra set of hands.
While setting up, I met the event organizer. Instead of pretending not to know the industry or quietly slipping through the crowd, I introduced myself honestly. I welcomed her to the area and told her I hoped she had a successful event.
I also told her something I truly believe:
If she ever needed help finding local vendors, I would gladly help connect her.
Why? Because I do not believe vendors belong to me.
Vendors are small business owners. Artists. Bakers. Makers. Families trying to make a living doing something creative and meaningful. Most of them work incredibly hard and need as many opportunities as possible to succeed.
I have never believed other events are my enemy.
Different markets serve different audiences. Some focus on handmade. Some focus on vintage. Some bring in traveling vendors. Some focus on local artisans. There is room for many different styles of events, and there should be.
The vendor I was helping handed the organizer one of our calendars of events. A few moments later, I was informed that the venue wanted me to leave the building.
So I left.
No argument.
No scene.
No anger.
As I was leaving, the organizer smiled and said, “I hope you understand.”
The truth is… I don’t entirely understand.
I understand protecting the integrity of your event.
I understand wanting vendors to succeed.
I understand the amount of work, stress, and financial risk that comes with producing markets.
What I do not understand is why so many organizers operate from fear instead of community.
Why are we so protective of vendors who are simply trying to build businesses?
Why do we sometimes treat opportunities like they are limited resources that must be guarded?
Why are organizers viewed as competitors first instead of collaborators?
I do six large markets a year at that venue. She does two. We have very few vendors in common because our events are completely different in style and focus.
But even if we shared more vendors, my philosophy would remain the same:
Vendors do not belong to us.
I believe vendors deserve every opportunity they can find.
The best vendors will always go where they feel welcomed, respected, appreciated, and supported. Not controlled.
And if I’m honest, moments like today don’t make me angry — they just remind me who I choose to be in this industry.
I still believe kindness matters.
I still believe community matters.
I still believe there is room for more than one successful market.
And I will continue supporting vendors however I can — even if it happens to be at someone else’s event.
