Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Brock.
Hi Kylie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started Flea Fest with the hopes of giving back to the community I was raised in. I wanted to create a space for local makers and small business owners to share their livelihood with the people around them. Flea Fest is a Modern Outdoor Flea Market that takes place in the heart of Medina. We offer a vast variety of handmade goods, recycled products, vintage, art + music, plants + flowers, food trucks and so much more. With 70+ makers attending each market, Flea Fest is all about shopping local and supporting your neighbors and friends.
Coming from a family of small business owners, I knew early on that I wanted to do the same. If I am able to provide a space and opportunity for other small business to thrive, network, and make profit to support their passion, I’m going to do it, and that’s what Flea Fest is all about. Locals supporting Locals. Fueling the small business passion and dream that so many people live off of now today.
We have plenty of exciting news and projects happening in the future that we cannot wait to share. The past year has been a wild and crazy experience, but I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting your own business from nothing will always bring struggles. You’re your own boss, accountant, marketing team, HR, Face of everything no matter what. It can be stressful at times and there’s so many hats to wear to keep everything in order, but it’s so worth it. As I mentioned before, our team is small. Budgeting is real. Trying to make something amazing out of what you have to work with is challenging. My family and friends have been the true structure in all of this. Anything I need, they are there. It means so much and makes all the craziness, stress, and doubts all worth it in the end. Having people who believe in you is all you need to kick the world’s butt and I’m so lucky to have that.
As you know, we’re big fans of Flea Fest Medina. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a Modern Outdoor Flea Market that runs June-October on every second Saturday of each month. We offer a wide variety of different local businesses and makers. We specialize in handmade, upcycled, vintage + antiques, home decor, plants + flowers, you name it. Aside from our 70+ makers, we offer food trucks, beverage carts, music, activities for the kids, treats for the pups and so much more.
I feel as though I’ve always specialized or tried my hardest to support local. Whatever it may be, I’m a firm believer in giving opportunity to small businesses and choosing them over cooperation always. I know the struggles and patience it takes to start something from nothing, to take that leap of faith to create a profitable business that you’re passionate about.
What I’m most proud about I think is that I’m creating that community for those people. I want nothing more than to provide them with an avenue to not only make money and showcase their business but network and make friends with others doing the exact same thing. Watching makers sell-out product, meet new customers face to face, talk so proudly about what they’ve started is what makes me the most happy.
Any big plans?
We have a lot of new and exciting plans for the future. Our business partner and us are working together on renovating an old Pickle Factory warehouse into an indoor market space for local makers to use as a studio/workshop, but also retail space. An area where they can run their business from, but also allow the community to shop their product as well.
On top of the Makers Market, we have a few other additions joining the space. Coffee shop, walk-up market bar/lounge, patio, and more. We are blessed and so excited for a new opportunity to continue to grow Flea Fest and provide our community with a new experience.
Contact Info:
- Email: fleafestmedina@gmail.com
- Website: www.fleafestmedina.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/fleafestmedina
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fleafestmedina
Image Credits
Flea Fest Medina
