Tent Talk

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet are talking about making decisions today that will benefit your market or business for the long term. It's not always easy, but it's important!

On this week's episode of Tent Talk, we chat with Sena Wheeler of Sena Sea, a successful fresh fish operation in the Seattle area and Eastern Washington farmers markets. We chat with Sena about how her plan to sell fish direct to consumers took a big turn when she discovered direct sales at farmers markets, and how markets made her family business a success.

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet discuss market turnover. Are you a manger seeing a lot of changes to your vendor mix right now? Are experienced farmers leaving the market? If you're a vendor, do the food makers leaving your market know something you don't? Listen to today's episode for those answers!

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet discuss a simple strategy to make your farmers' market business more successful- tell people where to find you! You may think everyone knows where your market business is every week, but believe us - many people are bombarded by so much information and so many events happening, they may forget where you are, especially after the busy holiday season. Just tell them! Post your list of markets on social media, on your website, in your email newsletters. Start off the new year (new decade!) with a re-introduction of yourself and your business. People love to be reminded of who you are and the face behind the Market, or favorite farm or food product they love- and your new customers will love getting to know you.

On today's episode, Catt and Brijet discuss some great New Year's resolutions for Farmers Market folks. Thinking of becoming a farmers' market vendor in 2020? Make sure you plan ahead before you make that leap. Want to expand your business in the new year? We'll discuss some education courses to check out and why finding your market community is so important for long-term success. Looking to manage more markets? Make sure you remember that Market Feasilbilty strategy. It's also important to remember that expanding and scaling up is not always the best resolution! Maybe digging in and doing the best market business you can do, right where you are already, is the best thing for you in the New Year.

Catt and Brijet are just popping in to say "Happy Holidays" to all our wonderful Tent Talk listeners! We hope you enjoy this busy season and find time to relax.

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet have big news: our InTents: The Farmers Market Conference speaker list is shaping up and you're going to love these guests! Tune in to find out who will be at the 2020 conference and why we think you need to hear them speak. The countdown to the conference is on... will you be there? Farmers' market work is the best work ever, and nobody really understands its special challenges except the other managers, farmers and food makers out there on the streets. It's so intense In Tents. That's why no matter how excited we are about the speaker lineup for our 4th annual Farmers Market Conference coming up February 2-4, we're most excited about seeing all of you there. ............ 30+ speakers and panelists include Darren Chapman of Tiger Mountain Foundation, Nathan Macaulay of Apricot Lane Farms, photographer and food stylist Lori Rice, Alfonso Morales of Farm2Facts, marketing guru Charlotte Smith, Beverly Grant of Mo' Betta Green Markets, Pascale Le Draoulec of Morning Glory Markets and author and food system activist and trainer Mark Winne

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet speak with Leigh Sloss-Corra, Executive Director of The Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham, Alabama. Under the direction of Leigh and her team The Market at Pepper Place has helped to revitalize Birmingham's downtown and has become an economic force in that city. A large market with some unusual expenses, the market helps defray overhead by working with a slate of almost four dozen sponsors ranging from banks to local restaurants. We ask Leigh how she makes all that work so well!

On this episode of Tent Talk, Catt and Brijet talk with Master Herbalist Meghan Dolly, owner and founder of The Loose Leaf and The Loose Leaf Tea Bar in Oceanside, California. Meghan is a hands-on business operator, whether she's standing in the tent at one of six local farmers markets, coordinating employee schedules or packing boxes of her signature tea blends for wholesale. How does one business juggle market, retail, and online sales? Let's ask Meghan.