Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Waguespack
JULIE, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had to retire early from my professional career due to medical reasons, but I still wanted to do something. I prayed about it, and the answer was a farmers market! I love working with people and being part of the community. I thought it was silly because my background is in mental health and other than having my own backyard garden and baking, I have no experience in anything farmers market. And this was in the middle of 2021 during a pandemic! But had already noticed how local businesses were closing down and suffering and thought this would be a great opportunity to refresh this community! I wanted to create a local community network that comes together to help each other out. It is a farmers market and a charity event. Each month we highlight and collect donations for local charities. Throughout the month, I attend and support networking and charity events to continue to give back to the community. When I told my friend about it, she wanted to hop in and join as well! Layni Cade helped navigate with coordinating the documents and city resources.
The first market came together really fast and instead of waiting another month, we just went for it with only 12 booths and very limited advertising but everyone that day sold out and customers started shopping before we even opened! By the next month, we had over 45 farms and booths and continue to grow! We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary in October 2024 with 95 vendors, 4 food trucks, live performers, and the city joined us to help host! Since then, we have added a second market of the month at a new location and are happy to provide the community two opportunities a month to get locally sourced food and handcrafted home goods.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always challenges when starting a new adventure and especially with creating a new business; however in the whole scheme of things, they have been pretty minimal. The city has not had a farmers market in quite some years, so they were excited to hear what we were planning but the logistics and paperwork took a little more time. In fact several city departments and I have been working on updating and mainstreaming the city regulations and permits. It took three years but it was a big win not only for the farmers market vendors but actually benefitted all small mom and pop shops doing business here.
And of course, managing close to a 100 vendors with thousands of customers attending at a single event, comes with its own challenges. Vendor emotions are high as they get ready for the day, which is when mistakes happen but I try to have things organized and prepared as much as possible to make it smooth for them. Plus my background in psychology helps give me a calm and clear perspective in dealing with mishaps that pop up.
The biggest challenge actually, is dealing with my disability while trying to stay active in the community and maintaining the farmers market. I don’t talk about it much but there is something healing when breaking the silence. I had to stop working in my professional career but still wanted to live a life of worth and contributing to the good of others. I miss a lot of deadlines and respond to emails late but I can only do a little bit at a time now.
We’ve been impressed with Old Pearland Farmers Market, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are at the heart of it, a farmers market but we are more than just a farmers market. We are a local community and charity event that really highlights helping others. I really wanted to capture the comradery and spirit of how farmers market started; a bunch of farmers and neighbors trading their excess goods to each other. It is a non-profit and the structure of the market is that. Each month we highlight a local charity to bring awareness to the community that such resources exist but also to collect donations and financially support them as well. And throughout the year we attend and donate to charity fundraisers to continue to support the community in need. Since we are a nonprofit, we run on volunteers and the help from others, instead of paid employees.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
We started the farmers market during covid and I noticed how many businesses were suffering and many local businesses closed and never reopened. I also saw first hand (through counseling others) how this event affected people’s mental health and stress levels and knew they wanted something to look forward to and missed the community feel from being so isolated. The first market was right after isolation bans were lifted but a lot of fear still existed and so we were sensitive to that issue. Vendors would cancel the day before because they got sick or was taking care of an ill family member. I would much rather they cancel then expose others to getting sick, and that is with any illness. We reminded customers and vendors that they have to do what is best for them and their families. Customers showed up in droves that first market! And they have continued to support us since then.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oldpearlandfarmers.wixsite.com/opfm
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opfmtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Old-Pearland-Farmers-Market-100507415655430
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-pearland-farmers-market-pearland
- Other: https://www.pearlandtx.gov/residents/get-connected/city-calendar
Image Credits
I took all the pictures, Julie Waguespack
