Today we’d like to introduce you to Delilah Collings.
Hi Delilah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always had an entrepreneurial and artistic mindset which I attribute to the family I grew up in. My first venture into business was selling small clay figures and toys in elementary school. Then, running a thrifted clothing business in high school. When I was 19, I started my first real business (Dahlia’s Apparel) making embroidered clothing. To help my business grow, I attended many pop-up markets across the state and loved participating in them. Eventually, I had the motivation to begin my own. It was the perfect combination of organizing an event and using my creativity for designing my brand.
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?
Although this pop-up market wasn’t my first business, it was my first truly successful business. Not just in the sense of being able live off of my income, but in the community I’ve had a front-row seat in watching be created. The friendships, connections, and experiences that form from these markets are incredible. My previous business attempts were what gave me the experiences and lessons I needed, to have grown so much and so quickly since I started this year. In the past, I struggled to get my businesses to go where I wanted them to be. I did not make enough money to solely live off of them, in fact, there was a lot of money invested and lost. But, this market is what finally clicked for me after learning from my experiences. This market may have gone pretty smoothly from the beginning, but that was because my previous ventures were not easy.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Creator’s Collective Market is a pop-up market that hosts local small businesses, artists, makers, and curators all in one space for locals to come shop. I put on quality events that are not only beneficial to our vendors, but an enjoyable time for shoppers alike. There is always something for everyone to enjoy. I pride myself in not just putting on an event for people to come and then leave, but creating a positive community and connections through these events.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It’ll rarely be your first attempt that will be successful, but without those “failures” you may not get to find out what works for you. The best way to learn how to do something and do it well, is through hands-on experience. You will need to learn how to navigate obstacles and setbacks through dealing with them, and likely have a couple of “failures” along the way. Those “failures” will give you the tools you need to create your success story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/creatorscollectivemarket
- Instagram: instagram.com/creatorscollectivemarket | @shopdahliasapparel
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/creatorscollectivemarket/
Image Credits
Marisa Tafoya
