Our First Pop-Up: Life Is Succulent (and So Was That Day): From “do we have enough bows?” to “how can I help your skin?” — our first event changed everything.

The day of our first pop-up event felt like a mix between moving day and opening night. We were excited, yes — but also deeply, intensely nervous. The car was loaded down with folding tables, product bins, boxes of bows, and three different tablecloth options because none of them felt quite right. There were last-minute trips to the store, frantic label checks, and one too many questions like, “Does this look weird or cute?” (The answer was usually both.)

But then we arrived at Life Is Succulent, a local plant shop just down the street from our house — a place we’d shopped at, admired, and attended events at as guests. Stepping behind the table, as vendors, felt surreal. Suddenly we weren’t just browsing — we were the ones welcoming people in.

And it was incredible. 

From the moment the doors opened, we got to witness something we’d never had access to behind a screen: real people interacting with our products. Watching customers gravitate toward certain kits, pick up a mask, or linger at the body butters — it was live, unscripted market research, and we soaked up every second.

We saw what caught their eye. We heard their questions. We learned what they actually wanted to know:

“What do I use if my skin is super sensitive?”

“Can I really use this every night?”

“What even is snail essence?”

And to our surprise — they were asking us.

For help. For guidance. For advice on how to build a routine, not just buy a product. And we were so ready to give it. Because Queen City Skincare was never meant to be just a store — it was built to support people. To make skincare feel a little less confusing, and a whole lot more caring.

Even better? The other vendors. We met artists, makers, small business owners — all of them warm, welcoming, and full of advice (especially about thermal label printers, which somehow became a full-blown four-person discussion with way more passion than you’d expect). 

There was no competition in that room, just community. And we knew immediately: we needed to be part of this.

So right after the event? We signed up for six more.

That first pop-up taught us so much. Yes, about what sells and what doesn’t — but more importantly, about why we’re doing this. Not just to make gift boxes look pretty (although we do love a good bow), but to show up for people in a way that feels real. To be a source of support, care, and Regina-style encouragement. 

We’re so grateful to Life Is Succulent for hosting us — and we’re beyond excited to keep showing up, helping people reach their skincare goals one pop-up at a time.