Today we’d like to introduce you to Deidre Rojas.
Hi Deidre; it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
In January 2022, I was released from my role as a Regional Marketing Manager for a Gutter Company. They had relocated back to Montana. I grew an interest in farmer’s markets/flea markets because I would send my brand ambassadors to different markets. I eventually grew a natural interest in the business development side of running a market. One day, as I was driving home from a Job interview, I had a vision flash before my eyes as I drove by Trinity United Methodist Church. I saw the open parking space and how it faced a main busy street, and within an instant, I had an epiphany to start my own farmer’s market—just a little backstory about me. I have always been driven to do things I set my mind to. I couldn’t sleep that night because I had this urge that couldn’t rest unless I started digging into how can I create my market. With plenty of Google searches and calling the city to find out what permits I needed to operate, I went down to the court house that Monday morning to file for my DBA. Twenty-something dollars later, Trader’s Town Country Market was born. I can’t take all the credit for the name, as I had help from my clever significant other.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a challenging road because I have had mental hurdles. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, and with that comes many hurdles. The market itself hasn’t been smooth either, as it takes a lot of person-hours to find your vendors and ensure you always have a decent amount of vendors at the market. Plus, financially, this is all coming out of my own pockets, from advertising to marketing materials to renting the space. It’s all coming from my regular 9-5 job and, of course, from the vendor fees I collect. Many other markets around the San Antonio area have more than 3 people helping them run the markets. But me, I am a one-woman show! I have taken on the option of having sponsorships. So if you know anyone, send them my way! Wink Wink.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am passionate about networking and community outreach, so I am naturally in the marketing field—particularly Healthcare and Home Health. Shout out to my employer JonSan Home Health Inc. I am one of their Marketing Coordinators. This position is entirely new to the company, so we have all the freedom to start from the bottom and help build the company to Waco. I am known for being a GO-GETTER and a leader. I am known for playing sports back home as Ballet, Cheerleading & Softball. Now is the time to toot my horn, so I will. LOL. I was always selected as the MVP, Cheer Captain, or even the ballerina who was always center stage. I have a resilient outlook on life. I am most proud of pulling myself out of a dark place a couple of years ago. I attempted suicide. I am not afraid to talk about it because it’s a stigma that needs to go away. Mental Health is real, and if anyone is reading this, I hope this guides you to a light you haven’t seen in a while because the light is there. We have to put in the work to turn it back on. That’s exactly what I did. I pushed through my hurdles, turned my light back on, and made it even brighter!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I “ve learned throughout my journey is to not talk bad about yourself. Don’t minimize your efforts or achievements.
Pricing:
- NON-Food Vendor $30
- Food Vendor/Food Trucks $40
- https://form.jotform.com/220348087380153
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttcmsatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traderstowncountrymarket/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-rojas-b4aa27251/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/traders-town-country-market-san-antonio
- Other: https://form.jotform.com/230645692375160 (sponsorship form) https://form.jotform.com/220348087380153 (Vendor signup)
Image Credits
My headshot by: Victor Ramirez Virtual Services Coordinator
