This week has me thinking about markets versus brick-and-mortar versus online. Actually, it's not right to use the word "versus" when it seems like the best approach to being in small-scale retail is a combination of all three.

When I first envisioned Membery, I thought it would be a service. Now, it's an online shop and a collective of designers. Aspirationally, I want to be a stylist and to open a brick-and-mortar shop in Hudson, NY. So where does that leave things?

For now, I'm renting vedor space at markets in the Hudson Valley in order to research whether or not there's a market (pun, intended) for my curation of clothing. I've done two so far, and I aim to do at least five before the end of the year. I'm cribbing this logic from the rules for qualitative research in the product management discipline of the tech industry--I should get enough information about my "user segment" after at least five markets.

While markets are not a direct comparison to a physical storefront that doesn't move, they are a great way to practice display techniques, brand positioning, the pitch, and to realize new marketing opportunities.

Most importantly, they are a wonderful venue for community, which is an aspect I am excited to bring to the brand and in-person shop. I have learned so much already from vendors like Lisa, Aurora, Ant, Mariah, and others! It's that intersection of communal shopping, communal selling, vintage, reworked pieces - it's a magic that I am definitely feeding off of and I hope it doesn't end anytime soon.

What does this all mean for you? I figured my schemes, dreams and impressions of new initiatives might help motivate you with what you're working on these days.