What Being a Market Stallholder is Teaching Me About Business, Sales, and Building Resilience

It’s a sunny Saturday morning, and I’m back at the markets, set up for another weekend of trade. After months of dealing with unpredictable weather and slow foot traffic, I’m doing my best to stay optimistic - even though things are off to a slow start again. It can be tough to stay positive. Running Byron Leather is just one part of my business journey, and I (naively) thought that working a market stall would be a walk in the park compared to some of the other things I do in business. But standing here, weekend after weekend, has taught me lessons I never expected - lessons that have influenced every other area of my work.

For a long time, I didn’t think sales was one of my strengths. As an introvert, I never imagined spending entire days talking to strangers and pitching my products. But deep down, I knew I had to push myself outside my comfort zone if I wanted to grow, and this is what I learned: we’re all in sales, whether we realise it or not. Whether we’re offering a product, a service, or simply sharing an idea with a friend, we’re always building connections, persuading, and finding ways to meet our needs and those of others.

Learning the ins and outs of market life hasn’t been without its challenges, but with each week, I’m becoming more confident, more resilient, and more strategic in how I approach this new business. The best part is, that these lessons go far beyond the market - they’re beginning to shape how I handle business across the board.

1. We’re All in Sales - Even When We Don’t Think We Are

For the longest time, I told myself I wasn’t a “salesperson.” But sales isn’t a dirty word. Every conversation in business is a form of selling. Whether you’re offering a product, a service, or a concept, the goal is the same: making connections and offering value. Now, when I greet customers at my stall and talk about the pieces I’ve made by hand, it’s clear - sales is part of everything we do, whether we call it that or not.

2. Developing a Thick Skin

Putting something you’ve created out into the world is personal - it makes you vulnerable. Getting feedback, especially when it’s not what you hoped for, takes some getting used to. Then there’s the silence when someone walks by without even glancing at your stall. It’s a reminder that not everyone will resonate with what you’re offering, and that’s okay. Learning not to take rejection personally has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve gained - not just in business, but in life.

3. Rejection Is Part of the Journey

Working a market stall isn’t for the faint-hearted. For every person who stops to chat, plenty more will walk by without a second look. In the beginning, those rejections stung. But over time, I’ve come to understand that rejection is just part of the process. Whether you’re at a market or in a boardroom, it’s not about dodging rejection - it’s about showing up, knowing that every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”

4. Real-Time Feedback Is Tough but Invaluable

As a writer, I thought I knew vulnerability. Writing and selling online creates a buffer between you, your editor and your customers, but at the market, there’s no filter. You can instantly see, hear, and feel how people respond to what you’re offering, and that can be tough. But this real-time feedback is also invaluable. I’ve learned more about my customers in one afternoon at the market than I ever could from a survey. This raw feedback has shaped the way I improve my products and how I approach my business.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Some days are slow. Maybe you’re ignored, or the weather doesn’t cooperate, and it feels like you’re getting nowhere. But then, there’s that one person who stops, listens to your story, and buys something you made. Those small wins? They’re everything. They remind me why I’m here. It’s not about overnight success - it’s about making meaningful connections and celebrating every step forward.

At the end of the day, being in business, whether it’s at a market stall or in a corporate setting, means being in sales, whether you’re ready for it or not. Developing resilience and a thick skin along the way is essential. Putting yourself out there, engaging with people face-to-face, and learning to adapt has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey because it’s pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.

Can you think of a time when you had to “sell” something—whether it was a product, service, or even an idea??