Today we’d like to introduce you to Penelope Walston.
Hi Penelope, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Fab AF pop-up market originally started as a high school project. I wanted to create something that could benefit the LGBTQIA+ community, my community, in a way that was simply more than donating to a charity. The team and I were able to formulate this plan and with the help of a lot of people, create our markets. Since then, we’ve only grown, having three incredibly successful markets. I truly just hope that what I am doing brings people joy or helps them in any way. Small businesses deserve customers, and the LGBTQIA+ community deserves representation and love. Everyone deserves a space to show off their creativity and who they truly are, which is something that the team and I truly hope we are creating.
At the beginning of this project, I conducted an amazing interview with Rodney Stoutenger, who runs Garden Seventeen. He truly gave me some amazing insight into this seemingly outlandish idea I had and how to help represent the community I care so deeply about.
I have also had the most supportive team, teachers, and family to back me up in this endeavor. Without any of them, I doubt this idea would’ve gotten farther than 1 small market.
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?
Being 16, it has definitely not been easy to continue this market and keep it successful. Organization was a huge issue at first for us, getting enough vendors and making sure we had everything we needed. That sounds simple enough to solve, but you wouldn’t believe how difficult it is for five 16-year-olds to get their act together and agree on anything. We’ve definitely had our fair share of vendors dropping out at the last minute, times where there were no customers, all pretty common obstacles. We’ve also had our fair share of bad weather. That said, you wouldn’t believe what a group of passionate and caring people can do to come together and overcome all of these hurdles!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a full-time student, still in high school, which consumes a lot of time. When I have the chance though, planning and working on markets is such a wonderful experience. Usually, I’m the one who finds and schedules the venue. I also find and secure vendors through a lot of hours of messaging, emailing, and researching. I post on our Instagram page and try to keep up with our social media accounts, and I also advertise all of our markets. I love putting as much effort as I can into these markets, and so does the rest of the team. We all have our strong suits and our passions.
Originally, this market was my idea, so I feel like I take responsibility for a lot of what goes into creating these events. I love planning, I love talking to vendors and creating a community of respect and devotion to creativity and representation.
I think it’s incredible, this thing we’ve created. A place where people can express their true selves with no fear is what I think a lot of people crave in life, what a lot of people need. It’s quite fulfilling to see vendors selling things that they’ve created with passion and love and customers buying them with such excitement. Seeing these markets go so well, having people tell me that they hope to come again, that these markets are just what they needed is amazing!
I think what really helps these events go so smoothly is my love of being a leader, of being relied on. At times, I’m definitely a bit overzealous but I know that just makes this all that much better.
What does success mean to you?
I used to think that success meant that you were beloved by all. A celebrity like Tom Cruise. An actress, or a singer, or fame, is what I used to think success was. Now, I can tell that my judgment was incredibly clouded. Success is not fame, it never has been, success is being proud of oneself, being able to look at what you’ve created, and being proud of that. Success is knowing that you don’t have to be the best, you don’t have to be admired by everyone. If you can help or influence or inspire even one person… that’s what success is. Leaving your imprint on the world not by becoming some celebrity, but by becoming someone that is proud of themselves, is proud of what they create and produce, and someone that can spread that success and joy to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fabafmarket.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabafmarket/
Image Credits
Stores and people shown in photos: @gato.curio @she23.music @purplemossvintage @babybottlelei @circularhustle @nadia.rose.designs (All on Instagram)
