Happy Father’s Day, Marketeers!

 

I have written many times in this blog about how the Market has become a small business incubator for a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs. This week’s special guest blogger, Kaycee Crislip, and her startup business, My Little Cupcake, is just the latest example. If you’ve been to the Market this year then, hopefully, you have been able to purchase a cupcake or two from Kaycee. I say hopefully because it seems no matter how many she makes each week they sell out. My personal favorite so far is the Root Beer Float cupcake. The point is that somehow in the midst of raising three kids, and with both their and her husband’s help, Kaycee decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a baker. Anyway, enough from me, let’s hear from Kaycee in her own words:

 

"They got it right when they said “Bridgeport:  Opportunity Lives Here”.  Growing up in Bridgeport always gave me a sense of opportunity.  Whether it was in the classroom, on the ball field, or at an organized community event, there was always those opportunities to learn more, do more, and succeed more.  The community has not let me down as I have gotten older.  The Bridgeport Farmer’s Market has provided me with a great opportunity to sell my cupcakes.

 

I have always had a passion for baking and a desire to own my own business.  However, most people cannot just up and start a business.  I have attended the Bridgeport Farmer’s Market over the years and knew the market would be a perfect fit for me and my cupcakes.  When you walk through the market not only do you get that sense of opportunity, but you get that sense of community—one you *want* to be a part of.

 

Opening day at the market came and my husband and I arrived early to setup—full of fear.  It was like the first day of high school all over again, except 12 years later.  How will the other vendors be?  How will the market-goers respond to our product?  So many thoughts, questions, doubts, and fears ran through my mind.  That was silly.  The moment we pulled in all of my fears were wiped away (mostly).  The view was spectacular and will forever be ingrained in my mind.  The canopies were going up, the trucks were being unloaded, the tables were being set up, and *this was it*.  This was my real opportunity, and as I watched this all happen I realized I was not alone.  That is the best part of the Bridgeport Farmer’s Market.  You are not alone.

 

We began setting up and were instantly greeted by other vendors:  handshakes, introductions, smiles, waves, offers to help, and advice.  How amazing.  And then the bell rang and the market-goers began pouring in.  200 cupcakes gone in an hour and a half.  Wow!  We could not have been more grateful.

 

We met so many great market-goers on Opening Day, but the best part is that every Sunday we continue to meet and build friendships with wonderful individuals, couples, families, friends and even furry four-legged friends (or non-furry friends if you have ever met the hairless cats!)

 

The market is so much more than just baking and selling cupcakes, or the beautifully hand-picked flowers, or the deliciously yummy strawberries, or the perfectly crafted wooden bowls.  It is the little girl who aspires to be a baker when she is older.  It is the elderly couple who stroll by hand-in-hand every Sunday afternoon (rain or shine).  It is the family who comes together to eat lunch.  It is the ones who get there right as the bell rings just so they can get those delicious strawberries before they are gone.  It is the community of market-goers from not just Bridgeport, but from all over the state, that makes the market the best opportunity.  And for that, I am forever grateful."

 

 

Thanks, Kaycee! If you haven’t had a My Little Cupcake treat yet, do yourself and your taste buds a favor and get by her tent this morning. Today, I highly recommend the Cinnamon Roll cupcake!

 

Also today, for the second week in a row, we are lucky to have another wonderful new area restaurant featured under the Chef’s Demo tent. Chefs Mark Tasker and Donnie Orr of Table 9, which is located in the Wharf district of Morgantown, will be on hand to take on the Fresh Fire challenge. If you go to their Facebook page (http://tinyurl.com/ksf7552) and check out some of their creativity you can just imagine what may occur at the Market today. Be there at noon! I leave you with two words: Free Samples!

 

Until next week, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos