11/08/2026
🤎 FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS — HARVEST BLOOM 2026 🤎
To our incredible vendors, volunteers, friends, family, and Tri-State community, Brett and I want to say THANK YOU!
As fellow small business owners, we know firsthand the sacrifices it takes to build a dream. The late nights, working full-time jobs, missed family moments, financial challenges, and countless times you wonder if it’s all worth it. Believe me, I’ve wanted to give up about 1,578 times myself!
When I started Lily La Fleur Boutique in a little 10x10 booth in 2023, I never imagined where God would lead us. In 2025, He placed another dream on my heart: creating a marketplace where small businesses could come together, support one another, and THRIVE. That’s how The Collective Marketplace was born.
Yesterday marked our third market, and while attendance wasn’t what we had hoped, I want to be transparent. This was one of the hardest events we’ve worked to bring to life. We faced tremendous competition throughout the Tri-State, but we never stopped believing in our mission.
To our 74 amazing small businesses — WE SEE YOU! 🤎
We saw your beautiful displays, your creativity, your incredible products, and the countless hours of preparation behind them. I tried personally to visit as many of you as possible, purchased and supported you as well… every conversation, hug, and kind word meant more than you will ever know!
We understand some vendors had wonderful days, while selling almost completely out, our boutiques thrived, hitting thousands of dollars in sales, our food vendors feeding hundreds, while others experienced disappointment. We feel that disappointment alongside you. We had 426 guests in attendance and we stopped counting at 3pm. We welcome constructive feedback because we’re still learning and growing! All we ask is that conversations come from a place of kindness, grace, and mutual respect. We will never tolerate poor behavior especially at the Home of our Lord Jesus. The Hills Church is our home church, we rent that facility, we pay for marketing, advertising, event insurance, security, and so much more!
To our volunteers, friends, and family: You gave us something priceless — your personal time. You showed up, worked hard, and believed in our dream. We could never do this without you!
To our customers: Thank you for shopping small! Every purchase supports a family, encourages someone’s personal dream and development, and helps our local community thrive.
And to every small business owner reading this, please remember:
One slow market does not define your success. One difficult season does not determine your future. And one disappointing day does not diminish your dream because let me be the first to say, I have experienced that upside down moment but how you handle it will always determine your future and success to make your business thrive.
We genuinely celebrate the success of other local markets and fairs because when small businesses succeed, our entire community benefits!
We’re already looking forward to Spring Solstice in May 2027, with vendor applications opening in January! Vendors already asking to come back! Vendors that will share our 4th market together.
Brett and I are grateful, humbled, and more determined than ever. We may not get everything perfect, but please never question how much heart we pour into this mission, and how much we truly care about each one of our small businesses that trust in us to help the public and community to see you and what you curate!
Keep showing up. Keep creating. Keep chasing those dreams God placed on your heart. Trust His timing, even when the journey looks different than you imagined.
We see you. We appreciate you. And we’re cheering you on! 🤎
With love and gratitude,
Mandy & Brett Hammett
Founders & Curators | The Collective Marketplace
🌿 Shop Local. Support Small. Locally Loved. 🤎
