Jenn Banks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jenn, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Tidal Salt on Main is where creativity and community come together.
On any given day, you’ll find us designing and producing custom apparel, unpacking new handmade goods from local makers, ordering supplies, and bringing fresh ideas to life. We balance the busy pace of production with warm customer interactions, laughter, and teamwork that makes this place feel like home.
More than a shop, Tidal Salt is a space built on connection, creativity, and a shared love for our Main Street community. 💙
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jenn, the owner of Tidal Salt on Main — a community-centered retail shop in the heart of Downtown Sykesville that celebrates creativity, connection, and local talent.
What started as a small handmade jewelry brand has grown into a vibrant storefront featuring over 60 Maryland-based makers and artists, alongside our own in-house custom apparel. Every day looks a little different — from designing new graphics and creating custom pieces, to supporting local makers, hosting community events, and collaborating with neighbors on Main Street.
What makes Tidal Salt unique is the energy behind it: it’s not just a shop, it’s a hub for creativity, laughter, and local pride. We love making things that make people feel something — whether it’s a shirt that sparks a smile, a handmade gift that tells a story, or an experience that connects our community in meaningful ways.
Right now, we’re expanding our capabilities with embroidery and laser engraving to create even more custom and collaborative projects, especially as we head into the holiday season. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for everything still to come — because Tidal Salt isn’t just me… it’s all of us. 💙
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Before I fully believed in myself, my customers did.
In the middle of the uncertainty and fear of COVID-19, when opening a shop seemed impossible, they saw something in me that I couldn’t quite see yet. They believed in my dream long before I had the confidence to chase it.
They showed up — not just with words of encouragement, but with action. They shared my work, placed orders, spread the word, and rallied around me with a kind of support I’ll never forget. Their faith in what would become Tidal Salt on Main gave me the courage to take the leap.
This shop exists because of that belief — because a community decided together that the dream was worth building. 💙
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For me, it happened the moment I realized that pretending to be “fine” was helping no one — not me, and not the people quietly struggling around me.
Opening Tidal Salt on Main gave me a platform, but sharing my real story gave it purpose. I’ve been open about navigating postpartum depression, living with ADHD, and my ongoing mental health journey — not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
What I’ve found is that vulnerability builds bridges. It’s created a shop atmosphere where people feel safe, understood, and seen — where laughter, creativity, and hard days can all exist in the same space without judgment.
Tidal Salt has become more than a shop; it’s a reminder that healing isn’t weakness, and honesty can spark connection. Turning pain into power made this place possible — and it’s the reason people walk in as customers and leave as part of the community. 💙
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
There’s a running joke that Tidal Salt on Main and I are the same person — and honestly, it’s not that far off.
What people see in the shop is me: the creativity, the laughter, the chaos, the occasional tears, and the relentless drive to build something meaningful in this community. It’s not a polished persona — it’s just me, poured into every detail of this space.
Tidal Salt exists because I’ve woven my heart, my story, and my quirks into it. So yes, the public version of me is real — maybe even the realest version of me. Because here, I get to be fully myself… and invite others to do the same. 💙
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I never gave up — even when things were hard, even when the odds were stacked against me.
That I fought for what felt right, even when it wasn’t easy or popular.
That I created a space at Tidal Salt on Main where everyone felt welcome, seen, and included.
And most of all, that I inspired others to believe in themselves, to embrace who they truly are, and to chase their dreams without apology
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shoptidalsalt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidalsaltco/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tidalsaltco
