Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chanda Hakaknson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

Seeking support from family and friends is key to a successful business. They understand how much it means to me and offer encouragement, working hard to help because they care and want to see me succeed. Their support provides a sense of security and motivation, making the challenges of running a business more manageable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in a home where creativity and antiques were a way of life. My parents were passionate about flipping furniture and collecting antiques—my mom worked in interior design for model homes and was a professional seamstress, while my dad was an auctioneer. With such creative and outgoing influences, it was only natural for me to follow in their footsteps.

From a young age, I was blessed with a creative outlook—not just in my work, but in life itself. I don’t focus on challenges; I see solutions. My mom often tells a story about when I was just a year old and had barely learned to walk. She was sweeping the floor when I toddled over, picked up the dustpan (even though it was almost too big for me), and held it down so she could sweep the dirt in. At that moment, she knew I had a mind that would focus on fixing problems rather than dwelling on them.

Because of my background and the talents I’ve been given, I was able to start Vintage Market Days® in St. Louis, Missouri. When someone once asked me what my top three talents were, I said: organization (with six kids, you have to be organized!), creativity (I love painting and clay work), and the ability to make friends easily.

My favorite thing about Vintage Market Days® is that it creates a beautiful space where customers can spend the day enjoying music, delicious food, and incredible vendors. Seeing small businesses thrive in St. Louis has been amazing, and I credit our success to the customers and amazing vendors who have supported them so wholeheartedly.

On a personal level, my greatest pride is being a mother to six incredible kids. They’re right there with me at the market, helping in different ways, and I’m so proud of the kind, hardworking people they’ve become.

As a business owner, my greatest joy is watching people walk through the market with their mothers, sisters, and best friends, smiles on their faces, leaving their cares at the door. That’s what Vintage Market Days® is all about—creating a space where people can make memories and enjoy a special moment with us in St. Louis.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’d love to share a story from my journey that truly illustrates resilience and tenacity. When I first decided to bring Vintage Market Days® to the St. Louis metro area, I had six children ranging from ages 2 to 19. Life was already full—I was raising my kids while running a small business staging and designing interiors for homes. Still, I felt called to take on this new challenge.

I handled all the legal requirements, secured the necessary documents, and then set out to promote the event—both within the community and beyond. But from the very beginning, I was met with overwhelming skepticism. Nearly everyone told me there was no way I could succeed in St. Louis—or anywhere in Missouri, for that matter.

Missouri is known as The Show-Me State, where people often need to see proof before believing in something new. It wasn’t just one person who doubted me—many essentially patted me on the head and said, “Good luck,” as if to dismiss my ambition entirely. My usually positive, can-do attitude took a hit. It felt like I was being told “no” at every turn.

When vendor applications opened, I was only able to secure 40 vendors—far fewer than I had hoped for, especially for the scale of market I envisioned. But I pressed forward, believing that hard work, faith, and persistence would pay off. The night before our first event, my husband and I prayed, “We don’t care if we make a dime, but please, God, let these vendors be successful so we can continue to grow this market.”

The next morning, we woke up to pouring rain—the kind that could ruin an outdoor event. But my family and I stood at the front gates, ready to welcome guests. And then, something incredible happened—St. Louis and the people of Missouri showed up. All the groundwork, all the promoting, all the footwork—it had paid off.

Instead of me having to prove to The Show-Me State that Vintage Market Days® was something worth attending, Missourians showed me that they were willing to support something new. They proved that, together, we could build something lasting and special. Today, Vintage Market Days® in St. Louis has grown into a beautiful and thriving event, and I’ll always be grateful for the community that embraced us and helped us succeed.

Any advice for managing a team?

One of my favorite things about owning a business is the relationships I’ve built along the way. In fact, two of my very best friends are people I met through promoting Vintage Market Days® also the very first person who applied to be a vendor at my event is still with me 13 years later—not just as a vendor, but as a friend.

I believe there’s a delicate balance between leading a team and fostering genuine friendships. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. When you approach leadership with this mindset—prioritizing respect, support, and genuine connection—you create an environment where people feel valued and empowered.

If you truly care about the success and well-being of your team and vendors, they will thrive, and in turn, your business will, too. A strong, motivated team isn’t just about management—it’s about building a culture where people feel appreciated, inspired, and driven to succeed together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vintagemarketdays.com/market/st.-louis/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagemarketdaysofstlouis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vintagemarketdaysofstlouis

Image Credits

All photos are owned by Vintage Market Days®