BEHIND EACH SALE
It is so easy to think of only ourselves when we buy something.. I mean we are the ones spending the money and needing that particular item, right? While that is correct, we aren’t the only ones who are connected to a purchase.
Hi! My name is Kelsey and my husband and I own and operate the Sunshine Coast Collective Markets. I had someone thank me once saying “Thanks for keeping the food on my table this week” and I thought to myself wow that seems intense but the more I let their comment sink in the more it hit me. Sure loads of us have “traditional” jobs 9-5 at the office or what have you, but there a lot of us who don’t or who have passion projects and that is what I want to talk about.
Australia as a country has about 30% small businesses and the Sunshine Coast comes in at around 60%!!! That is a huge percentage and something to celebrate and support, because even though it seems like a dream to run your own business… it’s not as easy as it sounds.
As a small business owner myself, there have been many times where I wished I could call in the CEO or the ‘big boss’ to help me out of a problem or make the difficult calls… but that doesn’t exist! It all comes down to me (and my husband) and we are the ones who have to decide, who have to work into the night after we put our son to bed, because if we don’t do it then it doesn’t get done. That is the reality for small business owners. It’s hard work and at times it can feel very lonely and overwhelming and it all seems like a big waste of time until… a sale is made!
So many of our stalls are moms, grandparents, young families or creative people just chasing a dream. When you buy something from them you are giving them the feedback that they are achieving something that is not easy. With every purchase, you are playing a part in keeping our country connected, encouraging people to chase their passions and showing those artisans that they are seen! You help keep families together and their homes running as they should be and you are showing those kids that they can be or do anything they might want to. It may seem crazy but there is so much attached to each sale because there is a person behind it all.
Oh that glorious sale, what a feeling!!! All of a sudden the hours spent creating and problem-solving have become totally worth it because you have made something that caught someone’s eye and they bought it from YOU! It is an amazing feeling and I believe it is what keeps us all going. It is a feeling that can empower us to keep working harder and creating more so that more people can experience all the amazing products. It is a feeling that encourages us to stay true to ourselves and create what you are passionate about and that encouragement allows us as a culture to stay authentic. How incredible right? All that comes to life after each sale, there is a whole ripple effect that happens…It is a powerful choice choosing to shop small!
Each sale is a celebration, it is more than one buyer and one seller… it is a community of support, encouragement, inspiration and authenticity a place where we can feel connected and true.
