Rise Up Designs

Yesterday was my first summer kickoff market of the season, and overall, it was a great day. The weather cooperated, customers stopped by, and I had the opportunity to share some of my favorite products with fellow book lovers and market shoppers. But one interaction stuck with me long after the market ended. A customer stopped by my booth and began asking questions. Lots of questions. How do you make these? Where do the materials come from? How much does it cost to make them? Do you make them yourself? Do you buy them premade and resell them? As creators, we pour so much time, energy, and creativity into what we do. It’s natural to feel protective of our work and wonder why someone is asking so many detailed questions. But as the conversation continued, I learned something important. She wasn’t trying to copy my business. She wasn’t looking for shortcuts. She was trying to raise money for her church and was looking for ideas and inspiration that could help support their ...

If you’ve been following along, you know weekends are usually filled with market prep, product planning, inventory checks, and getting ready for the next event. This weekend looked a little different. After a trip to Waco and a week of feeling under the weather, I found myself doing something I don’t do very often: slowing down. No major crafting projects. No late-night prep sessions. No marathon product-making weekends. Just rest. At first, I felt a little guilty. As a small business ownerl, there’s always something that could be done. A product to create. A display to improve. A social media post to schedule. The to-do list never really ends. But this week reminded me that sometimes rest is part of the work. When we’re constantly moving, creating, and hustling, it’s easy to forget that our energy is one of our most important resources. If we don’t take care of ourselves, eventually our creativity, motivation, and excitement begin to suffer too. My next summer market is com...

This weekend I participated in a smaller market at a local coffeehouse, and honestly? It ended up being a really good reminder that growth doesn’t always happen in the biggest spaces. Usually, I work larger markets with a full 10x10 setup. This time, I had to scale everything down into a much smaller 5x5 space. At first, I worried about how much I’d have to leave behind or whether it would still feel like me . But once everything came together, I realized something important: Sometimes limitations force creativity. The market itself is still growing, and this was only their second event. The first time I participated, it rained most of the day, so there wasn’t much traffic. This weekend was different. The turnout was smaller than some of the larger events I’ve done, but the conversations were meaningful, the atmosphere was relaxed, and it gave me the opportunity to really pay attention to how people interacted with my setup. One thing I consistently hear at markets is how cohesive ...

​ There’s something really powerful about women supporting women. This Mother’s Day, I found myself thinking not only about moms, but about all the women who step into nurturing, encouraging, mentoring, and supportive roles every single day. Some are mothers by title, some are mothers by heart, and some simply show up for others in ways that leave a lasting impact. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong women who believed in working hard, speaking honestly, loving deeply, and showing up when it mattered. My mom especially has always been one of those people. She calls it like she sees it, works hard without complaint, and somehow still manages to encourage everyone around her. Even now, she continues to inspire me with her strength, resilience, and unwavering support. As I continue building Rise Up Designs, I realize more and more how important encouragement is. Sometimes it’s a friend sharing your post. Sometimes it’s another vendor cheering you on at a market. Sometimes it’s your ...

 Sippin’ Sunday ☕✨ This weekend marked my first full market of the season—and it was a big one. Over 50 vendors, beautiful weather, and a chance to really see how my products show up in a larger space. Here’s the real takeaway… ✔️ My book lover theme? A HIT.   ✔️ “Blind Date with a Book”? Even bigger hit.   ✔️ Totes? People loved them.   And honestly… that felt really good. But here’s where the growth comes in: My glasses didn’t move the way I expected—and that tells me I need to rethink how I bundle or present them. I also offered a 20% discount… but didn’t clearly post it. Lesson learned: if people don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. This is why I love markets. It’s not just about sales—it’s about real-time feedback you can’t get anywhere else. So I’m walking away from this one feeling proud… but also focused. Small tweaks. Smarter strategy. Same vision. 💛 Let’s go, season. 🙌 #SippinSunday #SmallBusinessGrowth #MarketSeason #VendorLife #RiseUpDesigns

  This weekend looked a little different for me—and honestly, it needed to. Usually, my weekends are full of prepping, creating, and getting ready for upcoming markets. There’s always something to do, something to make, something to improve. But this weekend? I took a step back. I spent time with my family, went to the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (one of our yearly traditions), and just allowed myself to be present. And it reminded me of something I think we all need to hear every now and then: 👉 Rest is part of the process too. Of course, I still had a little bit of that business mindset in me—I made Fiesta t-shirts for my family (which I also sell), and it was actually really fun to have people stop and ask where we got them. I handed out a few business cards and even made a couple of sales without even planning to. But the best part wasn’t the sales. It was the balance. It was being able to enjoy the moment while still seeing how my business naturally fits into my life—not t...