We were lucky to catch up with Sandi Galaura recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sandi, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The idea of starting Rapha came divinely. It was a vision that God gave me, and the first thing I did was to make vision boards. Each board represented each room and space within the business and described and visually represented aesthetics and functionality for each space. The days and weeks were fast moving and filled with long hours of preparing, lists, ordering, decorating, answering emails and phone calls, as well as gathering a team of vendors whom I had never met before. Honestly I launched the business 6 weeks after the vision came and from that moment on have kept running not looking back. Establishing quality and boundaries within the space came with challenges and not everyone was on board as time went by, but I believe those who started out with me, though they may no longer be there, each played a purpose and role in the entire vision as it has unfolded.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sandi Galaura, I have been married to Phil for 41 years and have 2 adult kids. I am formerly a kids and youth pastor of over 37 years in Hawaii and California. I also worked in Christian Radio in marketing establishing brand awareness and retail product management. My heart has always been people but also love the thought of merchandise being used as a tool for Evangelism in the marketplace.

I was not looking for my business Rapha, when I moved to Tennessee, but God brought it to me. I believe that there was a need in our city for a shoppe such as ours to be a place where local artisans, crafters, artists and bakers, could find a place they could display and sell their beautiful things. I also feel that there was need for a place for community to be built outside the church walls. A place where people would feel Seen Known Loved and Heard as they walk through the front door. A place where they would feel welcomed and belong.

Rapha is a unique place built on love and compassion, hope and beauty. Though the aesthetics are undeniably beautiful and inviting, my hope is that each vendor and customer would feel valued.

Our historic building is the very first house in our little town of Spring Hill Tennessee, which is growing by leaps and bounds everyday. The busyness on the street outside is no longer heard when the door closes behind us. As you enter, Rapha, each person is taken into a place of peace and rest, to not only explore the architectural beauty of the home, but every little art piece, that is housed on shelves, walls, in rooms and outdoors.

We provide a place where healthy food and beverage products are offered, and where there is something for everyone. From the small child, to the teenager, to the mama, and grandma, everyone will find a little something special.

I am most proud that our vendors understand the mission of our shoppe and that there is a community being built daily where the main goal is to love and support each other and our community around us without competition or jealousy.

It’s so easy to go into a big box store and forget that small business right down the street represents families, who need those extra dollars to help pay bills. Each person that has a product in my shoppe, is a person I personally know, and love, not a huge corporation that I will never connect with. They are people that I want to do life with and want to know if they are in need.

My shoppe is a gathering place! Its a Marketplace Ministry where my prayer each day is that those who come inside feel peace!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At 61 years of age I was not looking to start something new. In fact I thought that I would be headed into a time of rest and eventually be doing life with my husband and adult kids. But God had other plans for me. Starting any new small business takes alot of work, but when you open a retail store in 2 weeks , its unheard of. With many being skeptical and questioning the vision of what I had been called to do, I continually pressed on until that front door opened to customers on May 2, 2023. I opened a business without loads of money and without real experience in running a business this substantial. Each day brought more and more challenges and trials, but also brought more and more ways for me to solve them. When you understand what has been placed before you, and the magnitude of whats at stake, suddenly you rise up and do what needs to be done. You find you have more energy and more passion when you are doing what you love and have been created for. That is what I have tried to do since I opened. Be the very best I can be and help others to be the same! My goal is to understand that I am learning everyday how to be the best Marketplace ministry and I am proud of how far I’ve come and continue to be press forward for whats ahead.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe being real and transparent helps to build your reputation within your market. I try to just be myself and share my strengths and weaknesses with those who are following the journey of Rapha, through social media. It helps to inspire them to take leaps of faith and to believe that nothing is impossible for them as well. I also believe it is important to lift up others as you rise. Support the other businesses around you who are also looking to be successful. Partner with them. Personally purchase products and services from them. Help them to be known and while doing that it, it increases your reach and your respect amongst so many others.

Contact Info:

• Website: sandigalaura.wixsite.com/raphamarketplace
• Instagram: raphamarketplace
• Facebook: raphamarketplace
• Yelp: Rapha Marketplace

Image Credits
www. Janetraynephotography