In February of 2021 we began planning for our first March Barn Market. We were coming off of two winter Barn Markets where it was just us and our tobacco barn full of vintage and a few Kentucky made products. At that time we were really just flying by the seat of our pants- we had no idea our barn market would be so well received and we honestly didn’t know what was going to happen month by month but I remember praying and feeling the tug to ask some other businesses and makers if they would like to join us in March.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were so new to conducting this business and bringing new people in made me nervous too because I had no idea what I was doing and honestly, I was afraid of what people might think of my inexperience. I’m happy to say that not only did we leave with friendships made that day but also the best encouragement through them. In fact almost every maker that set up with us last year was a newbie like us! And our seasoned makers and businesses were invaluable with tips and ticks and encouragement!
As the months went by we began to have more businesses and makers ask to be a part of our market and while we did grow some we chose to keep it small. In a world where we are told to “dream big” and “go big or go home” I feel like “small” has gotten an unfair rep. We have somehow connected its entire definition with miniscule or unimpressive or even unimportant. For us it’s been the opposite.
We want to cultivate our farm and market and that takes time. A big part of what we consider a successful market is having a healthy one. A healthy market to us is providing a space where we can curate a set of makers/businesses in an amount that lets everyone who visits really SEE their products and the people behind them. We know we’re not some big fancy shin dig and so we don’t try to fit into shoes that we’re not big enough for yet and that also makes this market more fun for us.
When we started we had no plans beyond the market that we opened in November of 2020. The after that we slowly began to learn this business and combine what we felt would be sustainable and what would also be fun and encouraging for us. This April will be our biggest yet in terms of makers and businesses joining us (10 total!) and I’m entering into this year still praying about the best way to navigate our markets for the success of both our makers and us. I know it’s still small in terms of many events comparable to what we do but I love our small growth. It’s allowed me to look into the details and see moments and friendships I’m afraid I would have missed out on otherwise.
It’s in the small things that I find meaning and the subtle fingerprints of God, the “God winks” as my Mama calls them.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent Van Gogh
