Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Diana Neubauer, of Salisbury Farmers Market, located in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are an Alberta-approved farmers market, supporting vendors who make, bake or grow or raise the products they bring to market. We create an environment that allows our customers to interact with the local makers of the products they use and consume. These are people who are striving to support locals and develop a sustainable community. We are located inside a locally owned greenhouse that thrives with the sustainable living community of shoppers, which compliments our farmers market wonderfully.

Tell us about yourself

Our market saw a need to provide the community with a year-round farmer's market. We love being a source of local shopping for customers who come weekly for their groceries, as well as a safe space for local entrepreneurs to test out their products in the local market grow their business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We are extremely proud to say we have been operating a sustainable non for profit society since 2008 with a diverse group of entrepreneurs who love the work they do.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

COVID. Having to shut doors, limit customers and vendors alike, and restrict the ambiance of our market by not allowing buskers to perform took a hard toll on our society. Financially and with our customer and vendor base. Many of the vendors we house had to close their doors and find other work because markets were too slow to keep the dollars running. It was a very hard two and a half years of restrictions, but we have made it through to the other end and look forward to a fantastic 2022.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't let setbacks turn into failures. Use them as learning opportunities.
  2. Less is more. Too many products for a customer to choose from is confusing and overwhelming. Start small, focus your product base and expand once you've gained a solid customer base.
  3. Track everything. Track your sales trends, products sold, cost of goods, busy times, slow times, everything you can think of. Look back on these and learn from them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Salisbury Farmers Market is a year-round market, operating every Thursday from 4-7 pm at Salisbury Greenhouse in Sherwood Park, AB. We proudly support local entrepreneurs and musicians, giving them a safe space to grow, learn and thrive. Come visit us, bring the family, and #shoplocal

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.salisburyfarmersmarket.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salisburymarket
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salisburyfarmersmarket/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalisburyMarket

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.