Today we’d like to introduce you to Didi Nduka.
Hi Didi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Founders Market started at home. Growing up in a Nigerian household full of entrepreneurs, I saw firsthand what it takes to build, believe, and bet on yourself. I watched family members bring their businesses to life while our community did their best to show up and support. But there was always this vision in my head: <i>what if we had one intentional space where all of our unique businesses could come together and shine?</i>
For the last 5 years, I immersed myself in the shop-local community, vending at events, attending markets, and connecting with other small business owners. Through conversations with fellow founders, one gap became clear: while pop-ups and parties offered exposure, many emerging brands still felt overlooked. There simply weren’t enough spaces that centered them, and as a founder of a growing brand myself, I could relate to wanting more visibility.
Inspired by that same vision for my family, I realized there was an opportunity to address the gap and offer something new, not just for us, but for all founders who desired and deserved it. I imagined something different. Something intimate, indoor, and intentional. A curated shopping experience that was business-centered and community-driven, creating value for both founders and customers. A space where emerging brands claimed the spotlight.
That’s what The Founders Market is built on.
On Saturday, October 4th, we launched our first market at Honey’s Scented Company, a small Black-owned business in Farmers Branch. We brought together 17 incredible small businesses and welcomed a diverse community ready to support. Customers shopped freely, vendors felt appreciated, and everyone left knowing they’d been a part of something special. That day was exactly what I envisioned and confirmed everything I believed.
Today, The Founders Market operates on three pillars:
1. <b>Intentional Curation</b> – We keep vendor spots limited so each brand can shine within its category.
2. <b>Quality Partnerships </b>- We align ourselves with businesses that value and pursue excellence in their craft.
3. <b>Intimate </b><b>Experiences</b> – We design inclusive markets that feel inviting, elevated, and personal.
As we head into our second market, <i>Made with Love (for you & for others)</i>, The Founders Market is becoming a new kind of marketplace, one where founders feel seen, small businesses thrive, and customers discover brands redefining shop-local culture in Dallas, TX. <b>Save the Date: </b>Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building The Founders Market has been a true test of faith, patience, and execution. Managing logistics, coordinating vendors, driving social media engagement, and running market day operations, all while learning and adapting quickly with limited resources.
Behind the scenes, the challenges were real: launching a brand-new market with no track record, securing the right venue, and hoping vendors and customers would take a chance on us. On market day, I didn’t have a formal team, but friends showed up without hesitation to help. Despite the uncertainties, vendor spots sold out and RSVPs exceeded expectations. Proof that this community was ready for something different, and a powerful reminder that when God calls you to something, He will see you through it.
Now, as we are preparing for our next market, I’m building a team that will take The Founders Market to the next level. I’m seeking volunteers who want hands-on planning experience, ambassadors who believe in our mission and want to spread the word, strategic partners who share our vision, and brand sponsors ready to invest in Dallas’ growing business community.
If you’re reading this and feel called to be part of what we’re building, let’s connect.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a connector and orchestrator at heart. Professionally, I manage programs, projects, and products, but what I really do is bring people together to solve problems and create meaningful impact. I enjoy ideating the vision, then creatively making it happen.
Outside of work, I’m energized by opportunities to serve and support others in ways that matter to them. I navigate life with intentionality, curiosity, and gratitude, and The Founders Market is really just a natural extension of that.
Our Winter Market date is Saturday, Feb 21st
All the vendors that made our Fall Market possible are: Lumee Jewels NDI Culture Chabela Treats Ojije Lifestyle The Lucky Collective Sparkle & Co Aromatherapy Whest ReViveU Beauty Melted Wax Therapy Co HUNNI Press On Nails LANIER Tallow Domeabra Fashion Yellow Flower Skincare Sweeties In A Cup Sistar’s Of Serenity Eight Phazes Obie’s Corner
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success for The Founders Market means consistently delivering exceptional experiences, market after market, that leave founders and customers eager to return. Long-term, it’s expanding our footprint beyond Dallas, partnering with brands and venues that share our values, and becoming the marketplace founders seek out to elevate their business. Above all, success is growing our reach and impact without losing sight of why we started: to center and empower founders.
Pricing:
- Shoppers: Free market entry with RSVP
- Vendors: Fees vary by market
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tfmdallas.wixsite.com/tfmdallas
- Instagram: @thefoundersmarket
Image Credits
Photographer: @EpicVisionMedia1 Oct 4th Vendors: @LumeeJewels, @NDI.Culture, @Chabelas.Treats, @OjijeLifestyle, @WayTooLucky_, @LanierTallow, @SparkleCandleCompany, @ShopWhest, @ReviveUBeauty, @MeltedWaxTherapyCo, @ShopHunniNails, @DomeabraFashion, @YellowFlowerSkincare, @_Sweetiesinacup_, @Sistars_Of_Serenity, @EightPhazes, @HoneysScentedCompany<br>
