Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Nava.
Hi Sarah , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started with the love of not wanting to work for corporate America anymore. As a female-disabled Veteran I stepped out of my comfort zone and started my own businesses. I have 3 businesses that I run in the community. Photography, Mums, Farmers market and holiday markets.
I love helping small businesses in the community.
I started a holiday market back in 2018 in Dickinson. I was a small business and I know there was other small businesses out there that need a market to showcase their products. Our small businesses are left out in the cold in our communities, no one helps them, no the cities or the EDC in the cities. I thought why not help by doing markets. I started a Holiday market that was annual and i would bring in 40-60 small business vendors to the market and introduce them to the community.
My journey with the Market on the Bayou began with the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce. I was brought on to help them with the farmers market and be their manager. The chamber closed at the end of 2023, so I put the farmers market in my name. The Market on the Bayou-Certified Texas Farmers market bring 40-70 small businesses into the community from all over the Houston/Galveston Area.
The markets are growing. We are starting a waiting list for the Market on the Bayou.
My goals for the markets is to one day be able to purchase land or have someone donate land to us off of I45 South Gulf Freeway, so that we can have a permanent location and host more events throughout the year. I want to be the biggest Farmers Market and Holiday Market in Galveston County.
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?
No, It hasn’t been a smooth rode to say the least. There is always looking for a location to host the markets. you never know who will support you and allow you to use their property for markets.
One day I will have my own land and be able to host events more frequently throughout the year.
the other struggle is getting sponsors for the markets. Since I am not a not-for-profit company it makes it hard to find grants, sponsors, donors to help with the market. I make nothing right now on the markets. All funds go back into the market for advertising, marketing, and other essential items to run a business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a host of markets. I manager markets, bring in small businesses to the market, build relationships with the small businesses. I specialize in event trade shows or farmers markets. I am know for being easy to work with, laid back personality, and great friend.
I am proud that I have taken the steps to start businesses and to keep going even when it gets hard and stressful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marketonthebayou.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketonthebayoucertified/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571041749258
