After six seasons of building the Lake Stevens Farmers Market from the ground up, I’m sharing some honest thoughts on what it feels like to watch a “new” version take shape without the context of what it actually took to build the original.

This episode touches on the unseen labor behind a market, the difference between profit and community, using AI to support "local," and the emotional weight of stepping away from something you gave everything to.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Ilea Bingham, of Posey Acres Kitchen, a sourdough baker navigating one of the most saturated spaces in the market world right now. Sourdough is everywhere—but what does it actually take to stand out when you’re one of many?

We talk about how she got started, what she’s learned along the way, and the reality of building a business around something that’s both time-intensive and wildly popular. From managing demand to finding your edge, this conversation goes beyond bread and into the mindset it takes to keep showing up.

If you’ve ever looked around your market (or your industry) and thought, “How do I compete with all of this?”—this one’s for you.

When I say “the C word,” you might think of one thing.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about a few: Cancer. Community. Connection. Communication.

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal update on my mom’s cancer journey, reflecting on recent experiences with community (from the BLOS cruise to Emerald City Comic Con), and diving into a real-world reminder of how communication can make—or break—your professional reputation.

Because in small business, in markets, and in life… people talk. And how you show up matters.