Sh*t They Don’t Tell You About Being a Vendor

Sh*t They Don’t Tell You About Being a Vendor
(but I will, because someone should’ve warned me)

1. Parking Will Always Be the Worst Part

If you think you’re just gonna pull up, unload, and vibe — you’re wrong. There’s either no parking, bad directions, or your booth is 200 yards from your car. Bonus points if it’s uphill and you’re sweating through your shirt before 9am.

2. Someone Will Judge You for Something

Your designs. Your prices. Your face. At some point, someone will make a weird comment or drop a passive-aggressive “Oh.” Just smile, hand them a business card they’ll never use, and remember: they are not your people.

3. You're Gonna Forget Something Important

Signage, your cash box, half your display... it happens. Every vendor has a “forgot the thing” story. I once brought an entire batch of new t-shirts and no hangers. Iconic behavior. 10/10 would forget again.

4. It’s Mentally and Physically Exhausting

You’re hauling inventory, talking all day, and pretending to be a functioning adult for hours. Then you go home, count your cash, and wonder if you’ll ever feel your spine again. Glamorous.

5. And Yet... You Keep Coming Back

Despite the chaos, the sweat, and the lady who threw my business card — it’s addicting. The community, the little wins, the weirdness of it all. You learn to love the hustle. You learn to pack Ibuprofen. Growth.

Coming Soon: Digital Tools for Vendors

Thinking of vending for the first time? Or just want to feel less like a goblin next time you hit the road? I’m dropping a collection of vendor-focused digital tools soon — planners, checklists, signage, all the good stuff.

Follow @lavenderandrage or check the Digital section of the shop to be the first to grab ’em.

Stay loud.