Today was the Holiday Shopathon. I'll put you out of your misery: it wasn't a big sales day for anyone. BUT...thanks to sweet Heather who drove out just to support me and placed a very early birthday order for a certain almost one year old and bought a chalkboard that I would have gladly given her, I broke even and made my table fee back. And then another vendor (I was a VENDOR, people!) bought a chalkboard, so I broke even on those.
I learned a lot today.
From my friend Linda, a jewelry lady, I learned to do a giveaway/drawing. That way I can email people with my website and maybe they'll order something.
From my friend Misti, who sells thirty one, I learned that people like sale prices.
From my friend Holly, who wasn't there but gave me a few pointers on my table (back when I was only going to do orange and white, so glad I switched!), I learned that I need some height on my table.
And I learned something just in creating the table look: it's hard to sell a concept, which is what a little happy really is. I thought I was doing okay, but then today I took a good, hard look at my table and realized it really doesn't SAY what I'm selling.
So, next time. I've got some work to do.
But for a first time, come on--check out that banner, guys! That little cube wall behind the table came with the table, but I didn't know about it until I was on my way to Pflugerville last night, so I didn't have time to create anything for the wall. So, I improvised. It was meh, okay. But at least it wasn't blank! :)
James brought his camera and snapped a few pics. Since I specialize in crappy phone pics on my blog, I took pictures of his pictures so you wouldn't get too overwhelmed with actual, in focus images.
Noble walked up and got really teary--"I don't want you to sell my cwothes!" I didn't even think that he'd think that...oopsie. Also, look in the picture above--Alex totally got a gander at his birthday present. Oopsie again--guess that's a sign I should just give it to him early!
I had two goals today: learn how to do a craft show/fair, and let people know I'm ready to take orders.
This sweet lady, another vendor, took the time to talk to me about what works and doesn't work--and she gave me some great, doable tips for next time. I'm so grateful to her! I just might have to send a little happy her way...she probably doesn't even know how she blessed me!
All in all, today was a success. I'm grateful for the opportunity to try out a new skill, if you can call participating in a "show" a skill, and to be able to do it in a low-stakes kind of way.
I'm grateful I did this today, because it made me get organized and do the heart-work I've been needing to do. Set goals. Create a business plan. Get the logo finalized. Create a table display. Figure out how to take money (hello, Square--what a blessing!). Figure out change. Figure out receipts, and carbon copies (yep, old school, baby). Figure out a book to share ideas of what can be done...even though said book is SO homemade and filled with, you guessed it, crappy phone pictures. I made my shirt! (Although looking at the pictures, I'm not sure I met my goal of getting the words below my...um...bra. Hmm--might have to rethink it! Or lose another 10 pounds...)
But I did it.
And now I'm ready to take orders, kids. Bring 'em on. Can I make you a little happy? :)
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