With summer in full swing we’re all eager to get out and explore everything Nashville has to offer while soaking up some rays.
And this year, one of the newest additions to your weekend must-do list is sure to be Big Plan Holdings’ 12 South Maker’s Market. Complete with local vendors and food trucks aplenty, this monthly market is free fun the whole family can enjoy.
For cofounder of Big Plan Holdings, Tara Joseph, the endeavor was truly a family affair. The diversified, multifaceted family holding company was founded by Tara and her husband Joshua and is run by the couple along with their two daughters. With close friend Brandy Gibson serving as VP of Operations for the company, the team saw launching a Maker’s Market as the perfect way to further their mission of giving back to the community and finding ways to support the industries of which it’s comprised.
“It’s very near and dear to all of our hearts to be part of the community. Tara, Josh, and our whole team truly love and have a heart for small businesses and growing them. That’s where BPH Investments came from originally— just to help these growing companies and entrepreneurs, and help them get more exposure,” says Gibson, who runs and oversees the Maker’s Market. “It’s not just about having [vendors] rent a both. It’s really about giving them exposure; being a part of the community but also trying to partner with them in other ways.”
Free to the public and running from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., the monthly market will arrive to 12 South on July 17 and again on August 21. Setting the Maker’s Market apart is an extensive variety of vendors that shoppers of all ages and interests can enjoy. From food and entertainment, to local artisans specializing in fashion, home décor, jewelry, pet products, health and wellness, and beyond, the market is a come-as-you-are, must-stop shop for locals and visitors alike.
“We want you to bring your pets, we want you to bring your kids, we want tourists to come, we want locals to come, honestly anybody. I really curated this with everyone in mind,” Gibson says. “Nashville is that city and small-town vibe, so you’ve got people that know each other hanging around with their kids and you have people running to Jeni’s, coming right back, shopping a little. It’s just an open house, open community event and it’s perfectly placed for that because that’s exactly the vibe of 12 South,” Joseph adds.
At the core of the Maker’s Market is community. Now more than ever, not only are so many longing for that feeling of camaraderie, but to help the small businesses that were hit incredibly hard in the past year. And for the Big Plan Holdings team, having the opportunity to showcase and connect with these entrepreneurs is the greatest measure of success.
“Nashville is full of a lot of creatives. It’s very music-heavy, but there are also so many entrepreneurs,” says Gibson. “We just all went through a horrific year. We have the platform, we have the exposure, we have the people, we have the team, we have a prime location—what can we do to give back to our community? That’s really what I feel like the heart of the market is about and bringing all kinds of people together because we’re ready to do this again. All of us are ready.”
(1204 Elmwood Ave., 661-219-3641; bigplanholdings.com)