Joining events and markets as a small business owner has been such an interesting experience! A lot of my opportunities have come from fellow small biz buddies sharing events they've discovered—there's this amazingly supportive community of entrepreneurs who are always cheering each other on. Sometimes, I'll stumble across events while doing my late-night scrolling (we've all been there!) or hear about them from friends over coffee. The absolute BEST feeling? Returning to events I once attended as a wide-eyed visitor, now standing proudly behind my own Kilig Ko table! Talk about full circle moment!
One of my favorite memories (that still makes me sooo KILIG) was during the Philippine Independence Day event in Carson. It was only my third time as a vendor, but guess what? I COMPLETELY sold out! Can you believe it?! My heart nearly burst seeing how my creations resonated so deeply with the Filipino community. Moments like these are pure fuel for my creative spirit, reminding me exactly why I started this exciting small business adventure!
What brings me the MOST joy at these pop-ups is connecting with you wonderful humans and hearing your stories! Whether you're Filipino or not, there's always meaning in those moments of connection. For my kababayans, it's extra special to bond over our shared heritage—yabbing about designs, traditions, or even food. For my non-Filipinos, I absolutely love sharing tidbits of our culture, explaining the meaning behind each design, and watching that spark of curiosity light up your eyes. It's my little way of spreading love, pride, and a slice of the Philippines wherever Kilig Ko goes!
✨ Come Find Kilig Ko! ✨
I may be an ex-market lurker now, but I still get those butterflies walking into a bustling event space—only now I'm the one creating those magical moments for others! Whether you're a fellow vendor or still in your market-browsing era, come say hi at my next event. After all, every seller was once a shopper with a dream! 💖