Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Garbers.
Casey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to LA back in 2013 to attend Otis College of Art and Design to which I graduated with a degree in Product Design. While attending school, I made it my personal mission to make sure everything I produced really meant something; to either me or the person receiving it. I focused on handmaking everything; most of the time taking twice or even three times as long to do something simple but remained persistent. I wanted everything I made to be a reflection of the time, love and effort I believed that person deserved. A gift in my eyes. Every single project, a gift. Manufacturing something became vile to me in a lot of ways. I even reached a point where I refused to use a sewing machine.
Fast Forward to this past October, I was sitting at the ArtBar (the venue that houses the marketplace) doing some work when I heard a cough followed by my name, followed by the question, “would you like to curate a marketplace outside?” With shock and no hesitation, I told the partners I’d dedicate myself to it if they trusted me.
One month later, we had our grand opening Sunday, November 10th and still going strong.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was definitely a lot to take in as one person. I wasn’t exactly around my phone as much as I am now, with networking and reaching out to potential vendors, it got to be very overwhelming. Fortunately, I have a wonderful support system at home and with friends who helped me reach out and stay determined.
I do work a regular job during the week along with freelance, and at the very start, I was helping my mother move down in San Diego every chance I got. So I’m unable to put 100% of my energy into this place, which can be very irritating. Between making connections, booking people, creating and hanging flyers and oh! I also bake for these things, it can be frustrating when I clock into my other jobs. BUT, growing up, my mother was a single parent with two children and three jobs so I figure I can do this.
My advice is to keep your chin up, don’t fixate on the hiccups, and remember that even if the small things don’t work out, it doesn’t mean your efforts were a failure.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into MartBar! story. Tell us more about the business.
Every Monday, I begin reaching out to creatives over social media.
I send emails, accept emails, prewrite responses for the masses.
By midweek I begin posting a bunch online about the event and it’s vendors, still reaching out. I have a lovely little book I write all the names, categories of work, and account names in.
I try to hang flyers around the neighborhood, then smaller ones printed and cut out ready to be handed out at the Mar Vista Farmers Market (to which we coincide).
I make sure all the vendors are either bringing a table or borrowing one of ours and how many they need. As well as making sure all vendors know where to unload and find parking day of.
Then, my favorite part, I bake treats for the day of, usually cookies of some variety.
Day of, I arrive 2 hours before the vendors so that I can make sure the alleyway is presentable, get tables ready, send off the flyers to the Farmer’s Market, create a cute message on the sandwich board we put outside and finally, help all the vendors as they arrive to make sure they are all comfortable and happy for the day. Quick costume change, and the market’s open!
The ‘Merchant Row’ of MartBar offers a uniquely intimate experience where potential consumers may engage artists on a personal level.
MartBar is a market place that celebrates under-recognized artists and designers; providing them a platform and a space to make connections and share their craft.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Word of mouth always works well, but keeping up with social media is a big one.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12017 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90066
- Website: artbarla.com
- Phone: 3108819312
- Email: lamartbar@gmail.com
- Instagram: martbar_la
Image Credit:
Ribtown BBQ (image of girl with food)
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