Sips of Wisdom: Lessons from the Winter

Spring has officially arrived — bringing with it longer days, fresh blooms, and new beginnings. As we gear up for the season ahead, we take a moment to reflect on a chapter that meant a lot to us: our first full season as a vendor at the TaSH Winter Market— an experience that challenged us, inspired us and reminded us why we do what we do. Being at the market those Saturday mornings was more than about the coffee; it was about building a sense of community, creating genuine connections with our customers and fellow vendors, and having the courage to show up consistently.

Our hope is that as we share the lessons we learned, you can find inspiration to be more present, to show up consistently and make an impact day in and day out.

Steeped in Community 

There’s something about a farmers market that you only come to appreciate in the quiet hours — before the doors open and long after the last customer leaves. During our first season as a full-time vendor at the TaSH Winter Market, we arrived early to set up and stayed late to pack down, often braving freezing temperatures and gray skies. It was in those unseen hours, without the bustle of shoppers, that the heart of the market — its community — came into full view.

Early in the morning, the once-empty hall would slowly fill with movement. Vehicles pulling up in the curb, and the sound of carts rattling over pavement echoed through the cold morning air. You would see vendors hauling in bins stacked high with baked goods, produce, crafts, and gear — each station slowly coming to life. Tables unfolded. Tablecloths were smoothed out. Carefully labeled jars were lined up in neat rows. There were cords being taped down, signs being hung, and the comforting swirl of smells — coffee brewing, bread warming, spices in the air.

It was a quiet hustle, each person working with purpose. And in the midst of that early-morning routine, we saw something powerful: no matter the product, the tools, or the display, everyone was there for the same reason. To build on a dream. To show up for their craft. To offer something meaningful to the community.

Those shared mornings — bundled in coats, hands full, faces still waking up — reminded us that we were more than just vendors in a market. We were part of something woven together by intention, commitment and a sense of belonging in a community.

Stirring Connections

Some mornings unfolded slowly, with a calm quietness as the market eased into motion. Other days started with a rush — a flurry of greetings, coffee orders, and early-bird shoppers. But every single day brought with it the same opportunity: the chance to connect. Whether it was a familiar face returning for their usual cup, a first-time visitor curious about our story, or someone somewhere in between, each interaction reminded us that at the heart of every market day was something deeper than a transaction — it was a relationship in the making.

Market days are always full of movement — hands passing goods, conversations drifting through the air, coffee warming cold fingers. But what we have come to treasure most are the moments when everything slows down, even just for a minute, and a real connection happens.

Some conversations were quick — a kind word, a compliment, a smile exchanged over the counter. Others stretched a little longer, unfolding into shared stories, laughs, or quiet encouragement. Over time, these moments began to feel less like customer interactions and more like conversations with friends. We were no longer just serving coffee — we were getting to know the people in our community, one cup at a time.

We are deeply grateful for every single person we had the chance to connect with. Whether you stopped by once, showed up every week, or simply waved a friendly hello — you became part what made each market day meaningful. Those genuine connections reminded us that showing up consistently matters, because showing up is making a difference.

Sourcing Courage

Each market day brought its own set of uncertainties. Would the weather hold up? How many people would show up? Would the people enjoy our coffee? In the beginning, these questions seemed daunting — the unknowns were always there, lurking in the back of our minds. There were mornings when the doubt crept in, when we wondered if it was all worth it, or if we were prepared enough for what the day would bring.

But with each day we showed up, we learned to push past that uncertainty. Courage, we realized, was not about having all the answers or knowing exactly what would happen — it was about showing up anyway. It was about believing that even on the tough days, the act of being present, of putting in the work, and of stepping into the unknown with purpose, made a difference.

Some days, it felt like taking one step forward was all we could do. But in those moments of uncertainty, we found the strength to keep going — to believe in ourselves, our mission, and the community we were building. And in the end, that courage to push through the unknown is what made every market day feel like a victory.

Steaming Ahead

Looking back on our first season as full-time vendors, we are grateful for the lessons learned — that building community takes work, that genuine connections require intention, and that courage is necessary to show up each day. Here’s to the ongoing journey of building something meaningful and making a difference one cup at a time!