Rise Up Designs

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