The weather grows warmer, fresh flowers start appearing from the ground, and spring is finally here. The sun sets later, and the air smells cleaner, leaving the world ready for better weather. Spring brings the start of many activities, including Lindale Mall’s “Made in Iowa Spring Market.” It took place on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This market featured 153 unique vendors, which consisted of food, clothes, flowers, jewelry, and more. One of the unique vendors that attended was a small flower business. Ally Bradford is the owner of a flower company called The Bradford Boutique LLC. She was born and raised right here in Iowa, and outside of her business, she is a mother to a family of four. Her shop sells flowers during summer and embroidered towels and jewelry during winter months.
“Being a business owner is a huge opportunity to live every day with joy and fulfillment. I work hard to ensure I can continue to work for my own company and to make sure our business is successful for our family,” Bradford said. Being a business owner is so rewarding; doing what one loves every day and always having the next day to do more, or sell more, can be a great feeling. Within every job one may choose, new struggles will appear; however, the happiness one receives from solving conflicts and moving forward is completely worth it.
Supporting small businesses impacts the lives of owners and can actually impact oneself as well. ”Keeping spending power in our local community builds a safety net for the community. It becomes a spending that is beneficial for the people we care about in addition to ourselves,” she said. Her business is family-run and all made by one person. Bradford said, “You really are helping my kids play on the basketball team and funding more locally owned businesses.” Supporting small businesses isn’t buying things made by machines or many people; sometimes, the things bought are handmade with love by one or a few people. Everything one buys is authentic and supportive of the business.
Another vendor attending the Spring Market, named Just the Girls, is a business consisting of women’s apparel, home and garden decor, stationery, and pet accessories. The owner, Heather Dankert, named her business after her two dogs. She was also born and raised in Iowa and has been a business owner for one year. She has a full-time job outside of Just the Girls but enjoys her small business because it allows her to get out of the house. “I take immense pride in being the sole founder, owner, and operator of a small business. It was a long-time dream of mine to do so,” she said. One can work a full-time job while still owning a small business, and although the start may be rocky, as more days pass, running the business will become easier each day.
Dankert has enjoyed being a part of Lindale’s markets because it has allowed her to meet many customers and people she may have never met. Owning a business becomes more than selling products; there are so many skills acquired and so many people to meet along the way. Dankert said, “If that is what your heart is telling you to do, follow that.” This applies to more than just career paths; with all one does, follow one’s dreams, no matter how late in life they come. Support small businesses when given the opportunity, and give back to the community.
Never put dreams aside because they seem too far. No matter how big the dream may seem, whether that’s becoming an astronaut, NFL player, or the president, always reach for the stars, and choose the path that will lead to challenges, mistakes, and forever happiness.
