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

Natalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

The idea for Markets for Makers came about in 2015, after my best friend and I launched a small jewelry business together. We would drive hours to the closest markets, but there weren’t any nearby. Determined to fill this void, I decided to create one myself. Initially, I created an outdoor market. It was a process of trial and error, requiring long hours and taking on every role within the company.

We quickly grew to over 100 makers and food trucks regularly. Yet, our success or failure was determined many times by the weather. Something that is incredibly unpredictable in Florida and uncontrollable. At some point, the outdoor venue we were located in was scheduled for a multi-year renovation and we knew change was imminent.

That’s when Markets for Makers was born. It was born out of the need to create spaces for makers where we would be able to give them the greatest chance of success. Which is why almost all of my venues are indoors, or at least produced in the dry months of Miami.

Reflecting on our journey, I am amazed by how much our company has grown since its inception. We now operate in cities across the country, including Miami, Jacksonville, Chicago, Brooklyn, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Nashville, and more. While the workload remains, there is still ample room for growth, I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything else.

Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Markets for Makers is a nationwide event series supporting local artisans and small businesses. With a focus on handcrafted and unique items such as clothing, accessories, jewelry, decor, art, ceramics, and more. We provide a platform for makers to showcase their talents and connect with their communities in a live setting.

Any advice for managing a team?

I believe it’s incredibly important to start with a product that a team truly takes pride in and feels enthusiastic about supporting. We’ve invested an incredible amount of hard work into various aspects, including finding the right venues, arranging decorations, selecting food vendors, setting up DIY stations, designing tote bags, curating makers, and targeting attendees. Our goal is to make Markets for Makers an exceptional event that both our makers and attendees eagerly anticipate returning to. The positive feedback we receive undoubtedly boosts team morale.

Another crucial aspect of leadership is being willing to roll up your sleeves and dive into the thick of things. Just because I founded this company doesn’t mean I shy away from working alongside my team on every task. However, I also recognize the importance of empowering team members in their respective areas. Each team member should feel ownership over their domain, without feeling micromanaged. Encouraging individuals to take initiative and organize their divisions as they see fit (within reason) fosters creativity and positive growth.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Marketing has always been the cornerstone of our company. For quite a long time, I personally managed our social media accounts and crafted every email sent to our makers and attendees. I dedicated countless hours to growing our following and email lists, all while juggling the logistical demands of each location.

Several factors contribute to fostering brand loyalty, with quality being most important. We prioritize maintaining exceptionally high standards to ensure that both our makers and attendees are eager to return. Additionally, we recognize the importance of multiple touch points in the customer journey. With the constant influx of information bombarding us daily, it’s easy for potential vendors or attendees to miss a single post. That’s why we employ a diverse array of advertising strategies, creating numerous ad sets and continuously testing to determine what resonates best.

In addition to quality and visibility, personalized communication is key. We strive to keep our email lists updated with relevant information tailored to each recipient and their city. Similarly, our social media content is carefully curated to be fresh and engaging, yet authentically reflective of our brand. We understand that people crave authenticity and value, which is why we avoid overly polished content. We frequently feature makers and attendees who tag us in posts, because people should feel like part of the community.

I also think it’s incredibly important to respond quickly to questions. Though we still are a small team, we always try to get back to people, whether via social media or email, as quickly as we possibly can, so that they feel heard and understood. This approach has been instrumental in driving our growth and fostering strong connections with our audience.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.marketsformakers.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketsformakers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketsformakers