VIGOR Victoria

🌱 Growing Gardenhouse 🌱 Tomorrow & Tuesday will be big days for us! We welcome prayers 🙏🏻 as we finish out our new location (104 Teakwood Dr. across from Walmart Houston Hwy) PLEASE share & tag this post so we can get word out to all everyone. We cannot WAIT to share it with our community. 🥹

💛 WE'RE IN THE TRENCHES TOGETHER — Our First Shop Twice Victoria Meeting

Whew! Last night was so amazing. We covered so much ground, and I am so proud of our progress. For those who couldn't make it, I promised a recap — so here goes.

First, we talked about WHY Shop Twice Victoria? Why do we need ANOTHER organization? What is the mission, and what's the plan moving forward?

We talked about what businesses actually need, and the resources we want to provide. It's about bringing businesses together with resources on a personal level — and dispersing the insecurities and boundaries we feel as business owners when it comes to asking for help. The theme that came out of the meeting said it perfectly: "We're in the trenches together."

We talked about the fact that there are 3,000 business owners in Victoria, and our feeling of being unseen as a collective group. We have the power and voice to make improvements and changes.

I introduced Chris Conner, the new Liaison for Small Business and Retention, and his role. He takes our concerns, issues, and ideas and "runs them up the flagpole to the higher-ups." We are grateful for this new position and are looking forward to his involvement.

We talked about how to get involved — the different Teams available and the ideas behind their creation — and I shared the QR code to sign up. Every team will meet as they see fit (in person or on Zoom), and we'll aim to hold a main Strategy Meeting each month.

A huge THANK YOU to Melissa and the staff at TownSquare Media for hosting us — for the drinks, the beautiful meeting space, and going above and beyond (they even made copies for us when we ran out!). They also took names and did a drawing for some free tickets.

And a special thank you to a generous donor who purchased Shop Twice Victoria signs and stickers for our businesses — printed by Sign Crafters, a wonderful local business right here in Victoria (shopping twice in action! 💛). Here's the best part: they're FREE to anyone on our directory! Display your sign proudly so your customers know you're part of the movement — and come grab yours at Vela Farms anytime.

There was so much great input and discussion from everyone in the room, and several ideas were shared that we'll carry into our team discussions.

Someone asked how all this came about, and I shared the honest version — the frustration, the heartbreak, and the reality that it could be any one of us. But I kept it short on purpose. With a room that full and only so much time, I didn't want to spend it on me — I wanted YOU to meet each other. And you did! Watching business owners connect, swap stories, and realize they're not alone… that was the best part of the whole night. That's the whole point.

But you know what I noticed the most? The relief on so many faces. The genuine gratefulness to know that they aren't alone. Because that's what this is — a group of people who have your success and your best interest at heart. "High tides float all ships."

There were so many people I didn't get to say hello to or meet, and I was so grateful that they came. So if I didn't get to talk with you — THANK YOU. Thank you for taking time away from your family to be there. You are the reason this movement will be successful.

I shared my role, too. I'm the founder and the cheerleader — the encourager. But now we need YOUR talents and experience to flesh out the teams.

And I encouraged everyone to brag on themselves. It's okay to be a little bit of a narcissist! 😄 I brought up Gary V (I love him, but he cusses like a sailor — no shade to sailors, but I've known a few, and I worked cows and held a flashlight for my daddy! Lol) when it comes to marketing yourself: take the videos, and start TODAY. Don't worry about lipstick and makeup — people really don't even notice. They love you for YOU. They want to hear your story, because your story is why they buy from you. Like Gary V says, "get over yourself" and start today — because in six months, you'll be SO much better at it.

We laughed about our insecurities, and I promised we'll have resources and mini-classes to help with the things we all need as business owners — marketing, reading a P&L, and so much more.

And we talked about the consumer's role — because shoppers want to help, too. The truth is, LIKE, SHARE, and POST is how this really works. That's how we get our local businesses seen.

This is just the beginning. If you couldn't make it but you want in, there's still a place for you 👇

Thank you, Victoria. We're in the trenches together. 💛

Shop Twice Victoria — Where to Shop Twice Find a locally owned small business in Victoria, Texas. Follow them. Visit twice.

Did you know Victoria has more than 3,000 small businesses?

I didn't. And I've lived here my whole life.

When I came across that number, I stopped and read it twice. Three THOUSAND. In our town. And here's the part that got me — the City itself calls small business the foundation of Victoria's economy. Not the extra. Not the nice-to-have. The backbone.

That's 3,000 families who chose to build something here. Who hire our people, sponsor our kids, and show up when a neighbor's in a hard spot. They ARE Victoria.

The big names get the headlines. But the 3,000 are the heartbeat. We need them on our directory. We have listed 80 so far. Encourage all your small business friends to you list on our site. It's free!

So here's my challenge to all of us this week: shop twice. Before it goes in the cart or the tank, check if one of our own has it first. Every dollar spent local stays right here — in Victoria, with people who'll spend it here too.

Start here 👉 shoptwicevictoria.com

Because a town that backs its 3,000 is a town that takes care of its own. 💛

All set back up! Can’t wait till they are open and all!!! It’s so cute! You’re going to just love it! Gardenhouse Coffee & Espresso Bar