Founded by Cherie Edilson, Member Marketplace’s journey began in the most unexpected way.
Cherie always knew she wanted four children, and after child number two, she transitioned to the world of stay-at-home motherhood. Six months into this new chapter, she found herself yearning for a personal outlet beyond the daily routine of chores and preparing dinners at 5 PM. It was during this time that she discovered the world of craft tutorials on Pinterest.
Among the myriad of crafts, Cherie stumbled upon the art of making girls’ hair bows. Despite not having any daughters of her own at the time, she eagerly adorned bows on her nieces, neighbors’ girls, and friends’ daughters. What started as a personal hobby quickly transformed into a business when people began requesting custom bows to complement their holiday dresses and celebrate newborns.
Realizing the potential, Cherie delved into the world of entrepreneurship. Armed with determination, she obtained an LLC, and with the support of her husband, a web developer, she launched an online website to showcase and sell her handmade products. The venture soon expanded to local farmers’ markets and craft fairs, gaining popularity and eventually selling in a few retail storefronts.
The turning point came when Amazon reached out to Cherie, recognizing the uniqueness and appeal of her creations. With guidance from their team, she successfully entered the Amazon marketplace, and sales soared. It became apparent that both physical farmers markets and online platforms like Amazon were where customers converged to discover and purchase unique goods.
However, it was a snowy day at a neighborhood holiday craft fair that sparked a new chapter in Cherie’s entrepreneurial journey. There was so much snow the night before this craft fair, that three hours into the four hour event, just one customer had come through the doors. Observing the disappointment of fellow vendors, Cherie called her husband and had him bring the four children to the fair to do their Christmas shopping at the event. They wandered through the fair, discovering the stories behind each vendor and their unique products.
Motivated by the desire to support others, Cherie and her husband, Robert, embarked on a mission to create a local online marketplace, similar to a mini Amazon, where you could discover and purchase from local small businesses beyond the constraints of one-day events. This endeavor evolved into the first marketplace in their community, connecting artisans with a wider audience.
After a year of successful operations, they joined an accelerator program to expand their local online marketplace concept to other communities. By the end of 2018, they collaborated with their first four chambers of commerce aimed to empower small businesses to sell and network online.
Fast forward to today, and Member Marketplace has operated marketplace platforms in 26 different states. Partnering with various organizations, from chambers of commerce to downtown districts, and economic developments to small business development centers, our mission remains unchanged – to make shopping from local small businesses as easy as purchasing from global online platforms.
Join us in celebrating the uniqueness of each business, the stories behind the products, and the vibrant communities we serve. At Member Marketplace, we’re not just a marketplace; we’re a community-driven platform that connects you with the heart and soul of local entrepreneurship.
Small Business Reflections
Reflecting on her first business, Cherie sees it as a profound teacher in the school of entrepreneurship. Despite the seemingly niche nature of girls’ hair accessories, Cherie acquired a treasure trove of invaluable business skills. From attentive customer feedback to the intricacies of developing and expanding product lines, managing wholesale orders, dealing with official licensing and trademarks, and navigating the complexities of online selling, photography, and social media, her journey was a crash course in entrepreneurship. She honed her expertise in website development, in-person sales, payment processing, sales tax, inventory management, merchandising, SEO, marketplace sales, retailing, packaging, collaborations, shipping, and beyond.
Recognizing the transformative power of her entrepreneurial education, Cherie sought to pay it forward. When Member Marketplace gained momentum, she decided to pass the torch of entrepreneurship to her niece, a college student who had been a steadfast companion in managing large orders and farmers markets. Handing over not just inventory but the entirety of her entrepreneurial toolkit, including materials, raw goods, and a thriving social media following, Cherie aimed to cultivate the same skillset in her niece. Despite the emotional farewell to a business she had nurtured over five years, Cherie embraced the dawn of a new chapter with Member Marketplace, ready to continue her entrepreneurial journey.
Our Impact:
At the core of our mission is the commitment to create a meaningful impact for small businesses. We hold a strong belief that local enterprises are the vital pulse of communities, and we take pride in our contribution to their prosperity and expansion. To date, our marketplaces have generated over $1 million in sales for small businesses. Moreover, they have served as the initial step into the realm of online commerce for many, while also offering direct support and guidance to enhance their digital literacy and technical proficiency in online sales and marketing.
Get to Know Our Team:
Cherie Edilson
Founder & CEO
Before dedicating herself to helping small businesses and communities thrive online, Cherie was a small business owner herself. Her unique experience in selling products locally and online led her to discover a better way to connect small businesses and customers. A fun fact, Cherie is one of twelve children in her family.
Olivia Snyder
Business Support Manager
Olivia is instrumental in helping new businesses onboard our marketplaces, supporting them in managing their shops, and providing valuable assistance to customers. Olivia’s passion for community support shines through as she guides businesses to maximize their platform presence.
Carly Nelson
Outreach & Engagement Manager
With a diverse professional background, Carly excels in relationship building, program management, and community outreach. She works closely with small business owners, guiding them on how to best represent their businesses and products across our multiple platforms.
Madelyn Houser Webb
Marketing Content Manager
Madelyn brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing. She has a true passion for all things social media, marketing, and content creation. Madelyn leads our efforts in creating, executing, and analyzing digital marketing campaigns, while effectively managing our social media channels.
Robert Edilson
Chief Product Officer
Robert’s journey began with a simple epiphany following a conversation with Cherie. It was at a local craft show with low attendance due to weather that he realized there had to be a better way for people to support and buy from local vendors. He now manages Member Marketplace’s network of e-commerce platforms to support local businesses.