10/23/2026
A message to fellow vendors and small business owners: please be mindful of where you invest your time, money, and energy.
My experience at Friday Harbour has been deeply disappointing, and I feel it’s important to share my side of the story.
During my time as a vendor, I experienced repeated harassment from a friend of the market coordinator. I felt unsafe and unsupported, and from my perspective, the situation was not adequately addressed.
The market environment became filled with unnecessary drama and what felt like mean-girl energy. Instead of feeling like a supportive community of small business owners, it often felt uncomfortable, divisive, and emotionally exhausting.
No vendor should feel unsafe or unwelcome while trying to earn a living and grow their business.
I have now lost my place as a vendor. From what I was told, last summer’s cancellations, along with my speaking out about the harassment, played a part in this decision.
What people may not know is that last summer I was navigating a miscarriage and a serious mental health crisis. I was going through one of the most difficult periods of my life and doing the best I could.
Behind every small business is a real person with struggles and battles others may not see. We deserve compassion, fairness, understanding, and respect.
I’m disappointed, hurt, and angry. But I will never be ashamed of what I’ve survived, and I refuse to believe that speaking up about feeling unsafe should come at the expense of my livelihood.
Don’t let fear silence you. Stand up for what’s right, even when it comes at a cost.
I built Ella & Lett Jewelry with love, passion, and determination, and I won’t let this experience take that away from me.
To my fellow vendors: know your worth, protect your peace, and never be afraid to advocate for yourself.
Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Stand up anyway. 💗
