Hi! I’m Hazel, and if you’ve read some of the previous Simply Enriched blogs, then you know that I hold this little dream of mine close to my heart. Almost exactly a year ago, I was invited to my very first pop-up. Since then, my love for this dream has continued to grow, and so has my love for small businesses.
Growing up, I was always surrounded by local support. I’m not talking about your local Starbucks knowing your order because you’ve gone three times this week. I mean the kind of support where a town is built on small family businesses. I’ve been incredibly lucky to experience that firsthand through my parents’ businesses. I observed their dedication so closely that a stranger might say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Dedication to a business can look like a million different things, but one way I pour into mine is through pop-ups. To me, pop-ups aren’t just a way to get your brand out there. They are a chance to connect with other small business owners who love what they do just as much as you do. I saw this so clearly in Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the Cowgirl Market.
I left Stillwater with a strange feeling in my heart, realizing that if this many people love their businesses as much as I do, people back home might feel the same way too. Within two hours of leaving Oklahoma, you can bet I was begging my parents to let me host my version of the Cowgirl Market. If you know my parents, then you know it didn’t take much convincing ;) Although taking 18 college credits and hosting a vendor fair the day after finals might not have been the best idea, I’m so thankful I did it. Not only did I get to create an opportunity for my small business friends, but I also got to bring something new to the itty bitty town of Alcester. While some people may have doubted the outcome, the place was packed, and I received an overwhelming amount of support and encouragement.
That experience is what led me to keep hosting and growing these events. So what’s the heart behind it all? It’s simple. “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God didn’t give Adam Eve just to fill space, but to build community. Whether you’re a business owner or not, we all need community to truly thrive. With that in mind, I’m so excited to be hosting The Spring Roundup, a spring version of the Winter Roundup. This event is not just about promoting my brand. It’s about bringing together the Alcester community and surrounding towns for an evening of laughter, connection, and support.
Because that’s what big dreams, like mine, are made of.