10/17/2026
💜 **A NEW DIRECTION FOR SKYLAR’S SWEET SIPS?** 💜
Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the future of Skylar’s Sweet Sips and what is truly best for our business.
When I started this journey, I had big dreams, and I've worked hard to build this business from the ground up. We've traveled, attended festivals, stocked up on thousands of dollars' worth of supplies, paid vendor fees, fuel, lodging, and countless other expenses just to show up and serve y'all. We've had some amazing events, met incredible people, and made memories that we will always cherish. We've also been blessed to give back to our communities along the way, and that will always be one of the things I'm most proud of. 💜
But the truth is, selling a lot of drinks doesn't always mean making a profit. Sometimes, after all the preparation, expenses, travel, and long hours, we end up taking a loss. And as a small, family owned business, we simply cannot continue pouring money into events that aren't financially benefiting us.
One thing I've learned is that people who don't run a mobile business often have no idea how much money it takes just to roll out of the driveway every single day. Fuel, ice, cups, lids, straws, syrups, soda, energy drinks, supplies, permits, insurance, maintenance, and everything else add up quickly. That's before we even pay vendor fees or travel to a festival. We have to invest money before we ever make a single sale, and there is absolutely no guarantee we'll make that money back. There's a whole lot more to this business than pouring a drink and collecting a payment.
Another challenge we face as a drink only vendor is that sometimes several vendors at the same event offer similar specialty drinks. We understand that every business is trying to make a living, and we respect that. However, when customers have so many options for the same types of drinks, it can make it harder for a small business like ours to stand out and earn enough to cover the expenses of participating.
We put a lot of time, money, and preparation into every event we attend, and we want to make sure we're choosing events where we have a reasonable opportunity to be successful. It's not about competing with other small businesses or wanting anyone else to fail. It's about finding the right opportunities for our business to grow and be successful, too.
And just as I've said before, when vendors consistently struggle to make money, eventually they have to reconsider participating. Vendors are a huge part of what makes festivals special. We bring the food, drinks, products, and variety that give people a reason to come out and enjoy these events. When vendors can no longer afford to participate, festivals lose some of that variety, and everyone misses out.
Supporting vendors means recognizing the time, money, and hard work they invest and helping create an environment where small businesses have a fair chance to succeed. We all want these events to thrive, and we want the people who make them possible to be able to keep coming back. 💜
And to event organizers, one thing I'd ask is that you're honest and upfront with us about what to expect. If there will be multiple vendors selling similar products, or if there are changes that could affect our sales, please let us know ahead of time. We're not asking for guarantees or special treatment. We simply want the information we need to prepare properly, stock accordingly, and decide whether an event is the right fit for our business. That honesty helps us make informed decisions and saves everyone from disappointment.
I've started asking myself an important question: Is bigger always better, or is staying closer to home what is best for our business?
Our hometown communities have supported us, encouraged us, and continued to show up for us. Maybe it's time we focus more on the people who have been here with us all along. Maybe it's time to prioritize our regular stops, build consistency, reduce unnecessary expenses, and focus on making Skylar’s Sweet Sips more profitable and sustainable.
As we head into the new year, we will be very selective about the events and festivals we say YES to. We have to look at the bigger picture and make decisions based on more than just how many drinks we might sell. Vendor fees, inventory, travel, lodging, and all the expenses that go into preparing for these events add up quickly.
The reality is that when we continue losing money at events, we put our entire business at risk. And if we're not careful, those losses could eventually put us in a position where we can no longer keep our doors open. That's a risk we're not willing to take.
A busy schedule doesn't always equal a successful business. Revenue isn't profit, and working harder doesn't always mean getting ahead.
This doesn't mean we're giving up. It doesn't mean we're closing our doors. It means we're learning, growing, and making decisions based on what's best for our business and our family.
Going forward, we may focus more on our regular hometown stops and the communities that have helped us grow. If a festival or event makes financial sense, you may still see us there. But we can no longer attend events simply because they're available or because we feel obligated to say yes.
We built Skylar’s Sweet Sips from the ground up and we've worked too hard to let expenses continue to outweigh the rewards. Our goal is to keep growing, keep serving our sippers, keep giving back, and build something that can last for years to come.
To everyone who has supported us, bought a drink, shared a post, visited us at a festival, or shown up at one of our hometown stops, THANK YOU! You are the reason we keep going, and we appreciate every single one of you more than you know. 🥹💜
We're learning that sometimes growth means knowing when to say no, when to slow down, and when to change direction.
Skylar’s Sweet Sips isn't going anywhere. We may just be changing the way we get there. We're choosing sustainability over simply staying busy, and we're choosing to protect the business we've worked so hard to build.
As always, come thirsty and leave happy! 💜🥤
