03/28/2026
Alright, so it’s week #2 of my journals and I already forgot a week—lol! But let’s be honest for a moment: things have been a bit chaotic these past few weeks with a few medical appointments. My Thursday at the office was swapped to Friday, which worked out great because I had to be in Owen Sound for a stress test on Thursday... and I am fairly certain my boss would frown upon me writing this journal while she paid me to do my office work on Friday! :0)
Friday Founders Journal
Week #2: The Evolution, the Setup, and the Sidekick.
They say you never forget your first... but sometimes you just can't find the photo to prove it!
Photo #1: The Kitchen Table Laboratory.
I’ve always been meticulous, and I’ve taken a photo of every single craft show setup I’ve ever done with Fosters Fields. Today, as I was digging through the archives for my Friday Founders Journal, I found these gems (though not exactly what I was looking for!). This first photo isn’t even from a show—it’s me, at home, in the beginning, trying desperately to figure out how to make a small kitchen table look like a professional display! This was the messy, creative, over-ambitious stage, where I was just starting to figure out how to look like the "boss lady" I wanted to become.
Photo #2: The Real Deal (and the Real Motivation).
This second photo is one of the earliest actual shows. And there she is—my oldest daughter, my constant sidekick in those days. When I look at this picture, I see so much more than a display table.
Starting my craft show journey back in 2012 was how I negotiated a slice of the world for myself, away from the chaos of a full-time office job and a growing family. But the secret was... it also became our time. With nine years between my oldest and my middle child, the time away at these shows was more than just business; it was special one-on-one time with my oldest, the best way I knew how back then.
These craft show weekends were our little escape. They were meant to be time spent together, bonding over product names and smiling at customers. She was so cute that other vendors would give her special treats when she walked around—I mean, who could resist those beautiful brown eyes? Looking back now, as she’s grown, I realize it was just as likely about the endless snacks, the fun of a road trip, and maybe just getting a break from her baby sister!
Regardless of why she was there, she was there. This business was built not just on wax and lye, but on car rides, shared snacks, and the quiet company of my daughter.
How things have evolved:
The Products: We moved from that overwhelming candle inventory to small-batch soaps and everything in between over the years.
The Shows: I attended these craft shows for years until COVID turned our world upside down. Since then, my appearance at shows has become quite rare. I still attend a few once in a while and may do more for fun in the future... though my kids are now all grown or teens, so they aren't quite as willing to hang with Mom at a craft show for "fun" anymore!
The Maker & The Sidekick: I’ve gone from a nervous beginner to a seasoned maker. And that sidekick? Well, she’s grown up with a baby of her own, and I’m so proud of the woman she’s become. I'm so glad we got to build this together. Who knows? Perhaps I will bring my granddaughter with me to a few shows for fun when she is old enough!
If you are a fellow small business owner, did your kids grow up on the craft show circuit? Or, if you’re a follower, do you remember seeing this dynamic duo back in the day in and around Grey-Bruce? Drop a comment below!
Carrie
