The real reason I stopped doing markets…👀👉

Sundays with Anna | Newsletter #20

Did you know that before I founded House of Cart, I was knee-deep in kids’ fashion, running my eCom label, Global Bambino?

It all started with handmade baby clothes, stitched with love and sold at local markets. 

I still remember those early mornings packing the car to the brim, setting up my stall (often in the dark), and chatting with hundreds of lovely customers face-to-face.

For 4 years, I was a regular on the market circuit. 

Some days, I’d walk away with thousands — a big deal for a handmade biz like mine. 

The brand grew fast, thanks to those loyal, lovely shoppers and a little help from organic Instagram (remember when that was a thing?).

I even did 3 offshore production runs to keep up with demand.

And then… life changed. Motherhood got real.

By year four, I had 3 little ones. I was breastfeeding my 3-week-old daughter Zoe at a market when it hit me:

I want my weekends back.

So I made a call: no more markets.

I took Global Bambino online, built a Shopify store, and honestly, I fell head-over-heels for the world of eCommerce.

Before long, I found myself helping my fellow market friends do the same. ❤️

And from there, House of Cart came to life.

That market stall? Best business school I’ve ever had.

It taught me how to sell, how to connect, how to refine an offer, how to listen to what customers want and how to build a brand that people come back to.

And that’s exactly what we bring to the table at House of Cart today — strategic, hands-on help for product-based brands who want to thrive online.

Because here’s the truth…

Selling in person and selling online are two very different games.

But more on that in Part 2! 👀

Big hugs,
Anna

Sundays with Anna is a delightful mix of stories, reflections, and insights to brighten your weekend.

This newsletter complements our XY&Z Newsletter, which many of you enjoy for its educational and informative content delivered to your inbox every second Sunday.