Imagine emptying your 401K to the tune of $50,000 to book a venue for your first event as a business owner with no previous entrepreneurship experience. Go big or go home, right? 

That’s the confidence level Sonja Rasula had in 2008 when she started Unique Markets. As a former journalist, she had the research skills and natural interest in telling stories that helped her prepare for owning a business.

For the last 15 years, Sonja has created large-scale pop-up markets across the country. She aims to support small businesses by showcasing up-and-coming designers, artists, and entrepreneurs just starting their journey. From the beginning, she set out to be a leader in an industry that didn’t even exist.

“I do believe in the idea of go big or go home,” she says. “I wasn't going to create a little market that could happen outdoors in a parking lot. That's already out there. I wanted to create something new. I wanted to disrupt an industry.”

On this episode of Be a Marketer, Sonja and host Dave Charest talk about the growing pains she experienced, why you shouldn’t fall for the social media trap, and the importance of focusing on yourself.

👉 Sonja’s Unique Assembly

👉 Constant Contact Resend to Non-openers Feature

👉 Constant Contact Canva Integration

☕ What Sonja does: Sonja founded Unique Markets in 2008 to create large-scale pop-up markets nationwide. Her markets support small businesses by showcasing up-and-coming designers, artists, and entrepreneurs just starting their journey.

💡 Key quote from Sonja: “As a business owner, if you own nothing, that means Instagram or whatever social media platform you're using, that means they own you. That's a terrible position to be in.”

👋 Where to find Sonja: LinkedIn | Instagram

👋 Where to find Unique Markets: Website | Instagram | Facebook