We recently connected with Stephanie Vega and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

As a crafter who loves to make a little bit of everything; I can’t tell you how many times people walk to my booth and see a cup or a tote bag that triggers a core memory and tells me the stories of their memories. Just this past weekend a mom stopped by my both and saw a little elephant cup and told me that her toddler was obsessed with Dumbo and started telling me the baby stories.

I also have made some of the best people I could ever ask for; that I can now say are my friends. I have forgot a chair and another vendor brought me one to use. Some of my vendor friends recommended me for customers and events. I am even going on a vacation with one of my friends. I have been blessed with truly the best set of people around me. Don’t get me wrong I have amazing people in my family but to gain these new friends that understand me and support each other in such a big way. Vendors to friends to family to the best way to explain it.

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

Stephanie here; hospice caregiver by week and tumbler vendor by weekend. I have been in the medical field for 15 years. I absolutely love my job and able to help people daily I such a blessing. I have always been a crafty person. As a mom I would make all the party supplies, and the partner that says ; “ Oooh I have idea!” Life is never dull in my home. With in my fiancé Fred being my support system and helping me create my ideas and brings them to life. When you visit me at the markets my teenager Skyleen is my right hand. She helps me at the markets as well ask making products.

I do create designs on my down time from work or mom life. I take inspiration on from all around me. From my siblings, mom, children, experiences and so on. I love when I make something that reminds me of one thing and someone comes to me with their own core memory. When someone shares their stories are treasures and I hold them all close to my heart.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that treating people with kindness and respect doesn’t mean they will return the kindness and respect. In the market world I have come across other vendors that have told customers that I don’t have cups I have candles . Why you ask, because they sold cups and they wanted the sales. I have also have had vendors at markets would tell me what I need to do instead of worrying about them selves . I have had people question my daughter on my prices to under cut me. Also, I have had customers that interrogated me why I don’t sell specific types of cups. Lastly, people video taping my cups an then say Oh my friend will make this for me.

Being kind will to promise everyone to be kind, but the kindness will attract the right people to me. I appreciate everyone who comes to see me at markets. That includes the bad people. The reason why I say that includes them is because I know who is not my people. There is a business for everyone and I am not for everyone and that is ok. The people that I am for; I absolutely love these them. They are my people

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I shut my business down completely when I was pregnant with my son and and whole year after having him. I had a very difficult pregnancy, labor and after. I had multiple surgeries, septic, liver failure, lost my gallbladder, and postpartum. I started posting my sons month mile stones and the prep work I was working on for his first birthday and the questions started. Am I back? Before my pregnancy I had custom orders all the time and how do I come back. After a conversation with my fiancé we agreed on doing markets.
This first year of market world has been amazing and a world wind. In the best way of course. I am a mom who takes care of the kids all day and makes products night. I also still see patients a few days a week and love my job so much.
Resilience is a funny word because i feel that the word comes with the option to quit. I am no quitter and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am an example to my children and I want them to know anything is possible. You can bring your dreams to reality if you want it. You are your own walls.

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