Meet Sabrina Smulders | Founder of The Artisan Farmers Market

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Smulders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I come from several generations of farmers, so growing, baking, and preserving food has always been a natural part of my life. I was raised to share what I make—whether it was something from the garden or something fresh from the kitchen—and that habit of gifting handmade, homegrown items shaped who I am today.

Over the years, I realized there are so many other artisans and farmers just like me: talented, passionate, and creating incredible products, but limited to selling only at weekly or monthly in-person markets. I kept thinking, ‘There has to be a better way for people to access these amazing handmade and homegrown goods.’

As a nurse, I also understand firsthand that not everyone has the time, transportation, or physical ability to attend traditional farmers markets. That really stuck with me. I wanted to build something that made local goods accessible to anyone—anytime.

That’s why I created The Artisan Farmers Market: a space where makers can sell 24/7 and customers can support local from the comfort of home. It’s a blend of my roots, my values, and my desire to make community-centered shopping more inclusive and convenient for everyone.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At my core, I’m an adventurer, a traveler, an explorer, and an innovator. Sharing other people’s handmade and homegrown goods—and the passion behind them—is something that feels truly magical to me. There’s something special about introducing someone to a new flavor, a handcrafted item, or an inspiring maker and seeing that spark of joy. In a fast-paced world, those moments are rare, and I wanted to create a space where they could happen every day.

The Artisan Farmers Market was born from years of experiences—growing and baking, caring for people, traveling, visiting markets, and constantly asking myself, ‘How can I help more people connect?’ I knew there had to be a way to make local goods easier to access while still honoring the heart and story behind each maker.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I’m not tech-savvy and my background is in medicine, so building a 24/7 online marketplace from scratch required a lot of research, sketches, trial and error, and moments of wondering if it was even possible. But I was determined. I stayed open to learning, open to challenges, and I didn’t stop until my vision became real.

There were times I hit walls or felt overwhelmed. In those moments, I stepped back, rested, practiced self-care, and returned the next day with fresh clarity. That rhythm—rest, reset, restart—is what kept me moving forward.

What I’ve learned is that when you take a dream and turn it into a goal, and then create a roadmap fueled by perseverance and willpower, you can achieve almost anything. The mind is an incredibly powerful tool.

What drives me the most is a belief that we need healthier, more thoughtful options in our world. We need to move away from mass-produced goods and big corporations that lack heart. We need more love, intention, and authenticity in the products we buy and the businesses we support.

The Artisan Farmers Market is my way of helping make that shift—creating a place where makers can shine and customers can discover meaningful, high-quality goods made with passion and purpose.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d start with a bayou airboat tour to experience the incredible local ecosystem up close—it’s such a fun and unforgettable way to understand this region’s natural beauty. I’d take them to the Stark House for a historic tour, especially since it’s the first town you enter when crossing into Texas from the east.

A trip to Shangri-La Botanical Gardens would be a must for some peaceful mental clarity and a slow stroll through gorgeous nature. For an afternoon treat, we’d definitely stop at Stacked Cakes & Confections—especially for their pecan bars.

We’d head north to explore the Big Thicket National Preserve and experience a completely different landscape. And of course, we’d hop around to a few in-person farmers markets to meet some of our amazing vendors—people like Mill Creek Tallow, Scent From Texas, Vintage Cottonwood, LoLa Treats, Ice Moon Farms, and so many more who pour love into what they do.

It would be a week full of nature, history, community, and incredible local flavors—the very best parts of this area

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my late grandparents (Jack, Elizabeth & Bill). They were all farmers, and the lessons they passed down to me are the foundation of everything I do. They taught me the value of hard work, giving generously, and taking pride in what you grow or make with your own hands.

But more than that, they taught me to be a ‘day maker’—to touch someone’s heart each day, even in small ways. Those values have shaped who I am, how I serve my community, and why The Artisan Farmers Market exists. Their influence is woven into every part of my story.

Website: https://www.theartisanfarmersmarket.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartisanfarmermarket?igsh=eGU4Y2lubWlscnB1&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568393443670&mibextid=LQQJ4d

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