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

Hi Kirsten, how do you think about risk?
It’s always important to define terms and here I’d like to say that the thoughts I share after this are for risks…not mindless gambles. A risk is just the cost of taking an opportunity, and those costs should always be counted. I think that risks are good and healthy things to engage in on occasion, but they should always be taken given ones past experience and carefully measuring all the known factors.

I’m afraid I can’t credit the original author for this quote that has shaped my thoughts on risk, but I once heard that the definition of bravery is the willing to experience negative feelings. I’ve thought about that at many junctures in my life. How willing am I to suffer humiliation if this doesn’t work out? Am I willing to make due with less if this turns out damaging our finances? What will this set of people think of me if I do? And all these questions, in the end, can be reduced down to…. am I brave?

I really, really want to be. I don’t ever want to think I held back because of fear. And honestly, I have learned so much from failure that I would never shrink back from an opportunity to grow from.

I think that ultimately, if you have done your due diligence, weighed the counsel of good (and knowledgeable) friends, and have more to gain than to lose, anything that holds you back from taking the next step is fear. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that nothing is wasted in God’s economy, so what may look like a misstep to me, may be just the experience I need for what God has in store for me next. And, at the end of my life, even if I was not successful in this one endeavor, at least I can say that I was brave.

What should our readers know about your business?
I cannot believe we are about to wrap up our first year as The City Mercantile. Starting a business in 2024 has NOT been easy, but what a ride! The economy has truly been a factor for many of our vendors and inflation has affected the costs of marketing just like everything else, but that fact has just motivated us to get more and more creative about how to get people through the doors.

Even with our market just starting, we have been able to give thousands of dollars to our local non-profits and it feels really good to know that we have been able to pull through for them, even though the economy is down.

We are expanding our schedule to four events next year and while I am in full swing for our Christmas Market in November, I definitely have my spring events on the back of my mind! If there’s one thing that I want people to know, its that we would do anything to see our vendors succeed. Andres and I are for every small business’ success; every sponsor, every vendor, every market, every time. We believe rising tides lift all ships so we are constantly bending over backwards to make sure everyone is successful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So easy!

Downtown Lebanon is so charming. We love holding our events at the Warren Co. Fairgrounds which is literally just up the street from so many beautiful boutiques and shops. There’s some great restaurants and antique shops too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, I’ve shared a little bit of this story of losing my aunt on our accounts lately and I’d love to dedicate this to her. My aunt was my husband and I’s ultimate cheerleader. She gave us our first shot at selling home decor in her store, which ultimately put us on the career trajectory that we are currently on. We dragged her with us everywhere in our early married years, from Cali to Florida, Mexico to Ohio and I always counted so heavily on her advice and design sense. She passed from breast cancer last spring, but she’ll always be my inspiration!

Website: https://thecitymercantile.com

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Image Credits
Amie Photo Co
Chelsea Hall Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutOhio is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.