Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Benton.
Hi Kelli, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We started Seaglass Monthly Market 12 years ago. It has evolved into an amazing artisan community. Seaglass is a once a month, meet the maker, indoor, artisan market. It features over 50 local artists, artisans and curators.
We have recently added a new layer to the market, for the vendors and small business owners. We have created a studio for small business owners to confidently create content and show up on camera for their followers and audience. It is also a fabulous space for coworking, workshops and collaborations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it has always been a smooth road, but I think that’s true of any business that involves working with and for such a large group of people. With more than 50 small businesses under one roof, there are a lot of different personalities, expectations, and individual needs.
Every vendor also experiences different seasons in their business. One person may have an incredible market while another has a slower weekend, and the next month it can be completely different. One of the biggest challenges has been finding that happy medium—supporting each vendor through those ups and downs while also making decisions that are best for Seaglass as a whole.
Over the years, I’ve learned that you can’t make every market perfect for every person, but you can create an environment where people feel supported, heard, and genuinely want to see one another succeed. That has always been important to me, and I think it’s a big part of the community we’ve built at Seaglass.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Seaglass Monthly Market is an indoor monthly market that brings together more than 50 local artists, artisans, makers and curators. But what we really specialize in—and what I think we are best known for—is creating a community around small business.
Our customers aren’t simply walking through a market and purchasing a product. They have the opportunity to meet the people behind the businesses, hear their stories, learn about what they create and, over time, build relationships with them. Many of our customers come back month after month and know our vendors by name. Those relationships have also grown between the vendors themselves, and some wonderful friendships have come from Seaglass.
That is probably what I am most proud of. Of course I’m proud that Seaglass has continued to grow and evolve over the years, but I’m even more proud of the community that has grown along with it. Small business can sometimes feel very individual, and I love that Seaglass gives people a place where they can support one another, learn from one another and celebrate each other’s successes.
I think what sets us apart is that Seaglass feels personal. It isn’t just about what you can buy when you walk through our doors. It’s about who you meet while you’re here. We want people to leave with something they love, but we also want them to feel like they were part of something while they were here.
How do you think about happiness?
Watching friendships form. Seeing vendors go from strangers to friends, seeing customers smiling when they walk in the door and catch up with their favorite artists. The amazing array of talented people I get to support and welcome into our space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Seaglassmonthlymarket.com
- Instagram: @Seaglass_Monthly_Market
- Facebook: Seaglassmonthlymarket
