We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Torres, Stephanie Manning, Cynthia Topp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie Torres, Stephanie Manning, Cynthia Topp, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Our journey to finding our purpose began organically in 2022 when we met while vending at local events in Bellingham. As individual makers—Cynthia Topp with Magic Carpet Jewelry, and Stephanie Manning and Stephanie Torres with Coast to Coast Sustainables—we each brought our unique viewpoints to the table. During one event, we shared feedback with the organizers on ways to improve the experience from a vendor’s perspective, and that led to the invitation to organize the same event in the future. From there, Bellingham Makers Market was born!
We hosted our first market for Shop Small Saturday at the Granary in 2022, and it quickly became clear that our combined skills, personalities, and experiences made us a perfect fit to organize markets. Being able to surround ourselves with local creativity year-round and witness the incredible talent in our community continues to inspire us. Bringing together so many incredible makers under one roof gives us purpose and drives us to keep organizing events that celebrate local craftsmanship. Today, we’re proud to focus on hosting 5-6 events each year, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support and work alongside so many amazing artists and makers in the Pacific Northwest.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
We are three makers with a shared passion for creativity and sustainability. Cynthia Topp runs Magic Carpet Jewelry, where she designs handmade jewelry featuring henna designs, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, iconic symbols for the boho chic, hippie, festival-going, meditating, BOLD soul!. Stephanie Manning and Stephanie Torres co-own Coast to Coast Sustainables, a business focused on offering eco-friendly, reusable products that help reduce waste and make sustainability practical and stylish.
Throughout our journey, we’ve learned the importance of community and collaboration. By working together, we’ve been able to combine our strengths to create a market that is not only a platform for local makers but also a gathering space for the Bellingham community to come together and support small businesses. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relationships we’ve built with both the makers and the attendees, and we continue to be inspired by the energy and creativity that flows through each event we host. Each market feels like a celebration of our shared passion for supporting local talent and sustainability, and we’re excited to keep growing with our community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in our journey are adaptability, collaboration, and community-building.
Adaptability has been essential in navigating the ever-changing landscape of small business and event planning. Whether it’s adjusting to shifting customer needs, responding to unexpected challenges, or pivoting in the face of new opportunities, being flexible and open to change has allowed us to grow and evolve. For those just starting, our advice is to stay curious and be willing to try new things—even if they feel outside of your comfort zone. You’ll learn more than you expect from each experience.
Collaboration has also played a huge role. The three of us bring different strengths and perspectives to the table, and our ability to work together effectively has been key to the success of both our businesses and the market. To those starting out, I recommend finding people who complement your skills and values. Collaborating with others doesn’t just mean sharing responsibilities; it also opens the door to new ideas, problem-solving strategies, and connections that you might not have had on your own.
Finally, community-building has been crucial in both our individual businesses and in creating the Bellingham Makers Market. The relationships we’ve built with fellow makers and our local shoppers have made our work so much more meaningful. For anyone just beginning, invest time in nurturing these connections. Attend local events, engage on social media, and look for ways to support others in your community. When you create a strong support network, you’re not just building a business—you’re helping to cultivate an entire ecosystem of growth and collaboration.
Our advice to anyone starting out is to embrace the process, be patient with yourself, and know that success doesn’t come overnight. The most important thing is to stay true to your values and keep building your skills and relationships along the way.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When we feel overwhelmed, we rely on each other for support. The three of us are so grateful to have each other as partners in this journey. Whether it’s Cynthia, Stephanie M, or Stephanie T, we remind each other to breathe and take a step back when the workload gets intense. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and pressure, but having a team that understands each other’s strengths and can step in to help makes all the difference.
We also focus on breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the sheer amount of work, but by focusing on one thing at a time, we can make progress without feeling overwhelmed. We’ve learned to celebrate the small wins along the way, which keeps our momentum going and reminds us of how much we’ve already accomplished.
Another important strategy for us is making sure we carve out time for self-care and to connect with each other outside of the business. Whether it’s getting together for a meal, having a cup of tea, or just taking a few minutes to chat and laugh, we know it’s essential to recharge so we can show up as our best selves.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed, we recommend finding people who you can lean on—whether that’s partners, mentors, or a community of like-minded individuals. And don’t forget to prioritize your mental health. It’s okay to ask for help, take breaks, and give yourself permission to slow down when needed. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bellinghammakersmarket.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellinghammakersmarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellinghammakersmarket/
Image Credits
Emily Segura Maze, Pavan / PK Photo
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