Simplicity with Sarah Holtz

✨Vendor Tip Tuesday✨ Birthdays bring out a reflective time of year. Turning 41 this week, I was thinking what I would tell my younger vendor self. Success at markets isn’t just about showing up and setting up on time, it’s about showing up with a plan.

That’s exactly why I created Vendor Savvy, a 6-module adaptive and interactive, self-paced course. With the purpose of helping small business owners feel confident, prepared and ready to thrive at vendor events through strategies I designed with my 18+ years experience as an educator.

🎂 Check out Vendor Savvy in a link in my bio. For my birthday week, get a bonus 30 minute 1:1 consultation with me with the purchase of lifetime access to Vendor Savvy.

*Surprise Stage 5 CKD dx for my 30th birthday
*22 months of nightly dialysis and waiting
*A kidney transplant
*Then, 7 years later, cancer from the life-saving meds
There were moments I wondered if my story would always be defined by survival, a life I never imagined that I was expected to go that path.

There were so many moments that felt unfair, especially during nightly dialysis. That’s when I grieved the life I had envisioned.
However, somewhere along the way of healing and unknowingly prepping for my next medical fight, I realized something:

*I did not have control over what happened to me.
*I DID and do have control over what I did and do with it and daily life.

Today, I stand on stages sharing my story, not because the hard parts have waned, but because they became the reason I can encourage someone else. That is my whole purpose and passion in sharing my story.

We all have a story that matters. If you’re in a season that feels impossible, remember this:
The chapter you’re struggling through today, may become the testimony that gives someone else hope tomorrow.
Keep going.
Keep believing in hope.
And when life knocks you down...
Pick yourself up.

💚 If my story reminds you that resilience is possible within yourself, I’d love for you to share this with someone who needs that reminder today. Please feel free to share your story in the comments to help spread hope.

✨ Vendor Tip Tuesday: Unpopular Opinion✨

If your event flyer was made ENTIRELY with ChatGPT or AI...
I’m probably scrolling right past it, along with many others!

Not because I don’t like AI, it can be used as a great tool, but not a complete replacement.
So many AI-generated event graphics look exactly the same. They blend together in a crowded social media feed and they often lack personality.

I’m not saying every flyer with these things was made with AI.....but if I see:
🤍 A random heart
🌸 Watercolor flowers
💫 Swirly sparkles
🖼️ Perfectly balanced clip art
💬 Generic “Join us for a magical day!”..my brain has been trained to say AI and I’m probably going to keep scrolling.

Give me:
📸 Real photos from your past events text information overlay
🎪 Flyers you created (can be AI ASSISTED, again a tool)
🎉 Your business’ personality & unique brand
✨The atmosphere people can expect.
📍 The details I need to know

AI is a great modern TOOL for brainstorming and polishing ideas in your entrepreneurial toolkit, but the most memorable event marketing still feels human.

Your event deserves better than a generic prompt. If your goal is to stop the scroll, be a human and show who YOU are!

Do you agree or is this a truly unpopular opinion?

Save this to help prepare you for marketing future events and follow me as YOUR Vendor Resource!

Ok…one more fun trend reel to celebrate!

“Alexa, play ‘It’s Raining Men’!” because surviving cancer deserves a dramatic celebration and second reel. 🍾✨

One year cancer free, candle lit, ch*****ne sprayed and fully embracing the joy of making it through the another hard season of my life. 🕯️🥂