We're enjoying our first SXSW Marketplace! This free event is open to the public and it's a great way to get a taste of SXSW if you're in Austin--they have live music, amazing local and global vendors, and a very Austin-y vibe.

We've loved being here, but it has definitely been an adventure! Set up was early Thursday morning (we spent the day before getting our girls off for a fun few days with my mom--best. decision. ever.)

Being married to an early bird is GREAT (and yes, it's taken years for this night owl to write that sentence!). One of the things I've learned from marriage with Jonathan is that it's always better to be early. We were one of the first U-Hauls in line at 6:30 on Thursday morning and we got to unload the walls that Jonathan built, plus all of our products, first.

We had thirty minutes from start to finish. It was like the Amazing Race: Start-Up Edition. We did it all (OK, we were closer to 45 minutes, but we hoofed it!).

Jonathan went to take the U-Haul back and I unloaded the boxes. Years of setting up for events for the non-profit we ran for Burmese refugee artisans really paid off--by the time the show started at noon yesterday, we were sipping coffee and smiling, ready for the day.

By far the best part of SXSW are the connections. We've certainly sold several products, so the show itself is worth it, but the chance to talk to amazing people from all over the world is priceless. We've already had invaluable conversations with people about retail opportunities, journalists, like-minded entrepreneurs and other people. 

The start-up life is often hard--it can be expensive, discouraging, and frustrating at times. It's frequently difficult to see where this journey is leading every day--events like this, where we can hear feedback from people and have enthusiastic conversations about our vision and products, really make it all worth it. 

We're very grateful for our first SXSW experience and look forward to seeing what the next stage of this journey looks like!

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SXSW Marketplace will be at the Austin Convention Center Friday, March 16-Saturday, March 17 from 11-6. Come down if you're in Austin and enjoy a free taste of the SX experience!

If you're not in Austin, enjoy the same discount you'd get on the Bag Insert, our hottest-selling item at the show, if you were here: enter the code SXSW to receive 20% through midnight tomorrow night!