Sippin’ Sunday: A Market Lesson I Didn’t Expect to Learn

Yesterday was my first fall market, and honestly? It was a really good one.

Sales were good. I was paying attention to what people were picking up, what I need to make more of, what was catching their attention—all those little things you learn when you’re actually standing in front of your customers.

But I also learned something else.

Take care of the person behind the booth.

I live in Texas. I know it’s hot. And I thought I was prepared.

One of my market rituals is packing a little cooler full of bottled water. Yesterday I brought about eight bottles, and I was drinking water throughout the day. The market organizers were wonderful about making sure vendors had water available, too.

Hydration? Check. Or so I thought.

Around 2:00, as I started packing up, I suddenly got really dizzy.

Not “whoa, I stood up too fast” dizzy.

Sit-down-right-now dizzy.

Eventually I had to call in reinforcements—aka Dad and my cousin—to finish packing my booth and drive me home.

And that was my reminder that working an outdoor market in the heat isn’t just about drinking water.

When you’re sweating for hours, you’re losing fluid and electrolytes. Depending on the heat, how long you’re outside and how much you’re sweating, replacing some of those electrolytes can matter too.

So I’m adding something new to my market checklist: take care of Jecca.

Water. Electrolytes. Food. Shade. Breaks. And actually paying attention when my body says, Hey girl, enough.

We spend so much time preparing the booth.

Inventory? Check.
Square charged? Check.
Signs? Check.
Tables? Check.
Cooler? Check.

But we’re part of the inventory too. 😂 If the maker goes down, the booth isn’t doing anybody much good.

So here’s my little reminder to my fellow market vendors as we head into fall market season—especially those of us whose “fall” still feels suspiciously like summer:

Prepare your products.

Prepare your booth.

And prepare to take care of yourself, too.

Yesterday I had people who could come rescue me, and I’m very grateful for that.

Next market, though?

The cooler is getting an upgrade. ❤️

- Jecca