After every big event, I like to spend some time thinking about what went well, what we could improve, and what lessons I want to carry forward.

We just returned from Blade Show Atlanta, and by every measure it was our best event yet.

We brought a lot of gear, returned home with a lot less, and spent four days surrounded by customers, makers, creators, and friends. As I unpacked and reflected on the weekend, I realized my biggest takeaway had very little to do with sales.

It had everything to do with community.

For years, Todd and I have worked to build relationships wherever people find us. Through our newsletter, Make It Mondays, our podcast, social media, WhatNot auctions, and in person events, we've tried to create spaces where people feel welcome.

At the time, it never felt like we were building anything extraordinary.

We were simply showing up.

Answering comments.

Writing newsletters.

Talking to people during auctions.

Sharing what we're working on.

Remembering names.

Listening to stories.

Being ourselves.

This year at Blade Show, I got to see the results of all those small moments.

One of my biggest surprises was how many people stopped by our booth because they knew us from WhatNot.

Usually, they're just usernames scrolling across a screen while we're live. We recognize their names, know their personalities, and laugh at their comments, but we've never actually met.

This year I got to connect at least eight familiar usernames to real people.

Now when I see them bidding during a show, I'll know exactly who they are.

That may sound like a small thing, but it felt incredibly meaningful.

Several people told us they came specifically to Blade Show hoping to see us.

Others shared how much they enjoy our newsletter, Make It Mondays, or the podcast.

And more than a few people came by because they wanted to meet "Hot Todd" in person, which was honestly pretty adorable.

What struck me was realizing that these weren't separate communities.

The newsletter readers, podcast listeners, WhatNot bidders, social media followers, and Blade Show attendees were often the very same people.

They had simply met us through different doors.

Then I heard a story that really stuck with me.

A group of customers told us they originally met through our WhatNot auctions. They started out bidding against each other, then got to know one another, became friends, and eventually began attending events together. They introduced us to other members of their group who had also become friends through the community.

Think about that for a moment.

People who may never have crossed paths in everyday life became friends because they kept showing up in the same space.

That has very little to do with waxed canvas.

That's community.

As a handmade business owner, I spend a lot of time wondering how people feel about our products. Are they happy with them? What would they like to see next? How can we improve?

The feedback we received all weekend absolutely filled my cup.

People shared stories about their gear. They talked about products they'd love to see us make. They offered suggestions and ideas.

When people care enough to share honest feedback, it means they're invested in what you're building.

That's something I never take for granted.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the weekend was something I wasn't expecting.

Throughout the weekend, customers and friends kept introducing us to people they respected. What struck me wasn't who we were meeting. It was the fact that people were willing to make those introductions in the first place.

It felt like we had a whole team of cheerleaders walking around the show floor saying, "You should meet Heather and Todd."

That was humbling.

And it reminded me of something I've noticed over the years.

People want to spend time with people they like.

People want to support businesses they trust.

I think customers are far smarter than many companies give them credit for.

They know when they're being treated like a transaction.

They know when they're being treated like a person.

Every event has its behind the scenes conversations. You hear who's growing, who's struggling, what's working, and what isn't. One thing I've noticed over the years is that the businesses with the strongest communities aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest marketing budgets or the loudest voices. They're usually the ones that consistently show up, treat people well, and genuinely care about the relationships they build.

Don't get me wrong. Every business needs to make money. Ours certainly does.

But profit has never been the first thing we focus on.

We focus on making quality products.

We focus on treating people well.

We focus on building relationships.

We focus on showing up.

The profit is the result, not the purpose.

And I think people can feel the difference.

One of the things that made me smile most during the weekend was hearing people introduce us as "the nicest couple here." Whether that's true or not, I think it speaks to something Todd and I have always tried to do: treat people well.

Kindness matters.

Generosity matters.

Listening matters.

Being genuinely happy for other people's success matters.

Community matters.

That's probably why this weekend meant so much.

It reminded us that people were listening.

People were watching.

Most importantly, people were connecting with one another.

Looking around Blade Show this year, I realized our community didn't start in Atlanta.

It started years ago in comment sections, emails, live auctions, podcasts, campfires, and conversations.

It grew one interaction at a time.

One customer at a time.

One friendship at a time.

This year we simply got to see it all gathered in one place.

And for the first time, I realized we weren't showing up to Blade Show alone.

Our community came with us.

And that might be the greatest success we've had yet.