I’ve experienced this more than once sadly. For me I find price ranges help low-mid-high sort of thing and decor of the table, with good info about candles too. Special offers are good too.❤❤❤
Yep, I remember this happening at the show many years ago. All my kids helped me haul boxes and boxes of candles to the event and I sold like three candles. My kids were so crushed and disappointed, they thought we wouldn’t eat! I reminded them this was a hobby and we would all be fine, but it really hurt my pride!
Not sure how I should response about this cause I am still thinking about that my very 1st market like 3 mnths ago where I sold 1 frickin candle! LOL. Thanks Ashley for keeping it real AND lite.
Yes thank you for sharing. Im just now starting this Ebonaiti brand and do worry about my first year/season. Im just reslly bad at marketing and stuff.
Thanks for always keeping it real. This has definitely happened to us a few times in the 11+ years of business. Always a bummer but a learning experience too!
Thanks for being real. I am sorry this happened. As you said, always trust your gut. But, sometimes that little voice says, “what if?” And it’s amazing. Lol. I love the two hour event ones. Either way you are out of there in no time and people are usually there to shop & can’t say I’ll be back later. Glad that went well.
There are several factors to consider. One that tops the list is the type of traffic and age of the customers that will be there (think of your target market). I have learned that some markets aren't the right fit, because the people walking through just aren't the right age (not my target customer). Another thing to consider, in your case, is that you weren't there and it was just your employee selling. No one is going to sell products harder than the actual owner/inventor. Nothing against the employee, I'm sure she's great :) but if she is just working for an hourly wage and not on commission, the amount of sales don't matter to her; she gets paid the same. You would have a different sales approach than her. An employee may let some people walk by that the business owner would be more willing to call over to try to get them to the booth.
Yes, this is definitely all in consideration when deciding. And sometimes it throws me for a loop when I feel like I have the formula down, which keeps that what if question lurking! All great insight, thanks for sharing!
I had a real shit spring market and I just decided to give up til the fall. It's good to learn from. What happened to the inventora video you sent in your email to us on the 16th? Looking forward to hearing your perspective!
I am glad o am not the only one who has bad days! I will keep on trying. It’s like MeiPak said: you are the only person who can decide if your business failed or not. Let’s keep going , my friends!
That is such a bummer! We have all been there at least once or more times. I think everyone gets that moment of asking themselves at a crappy market, What am I even doing? Here in Minnesota my summer markets too well but the ones in January, February and early March are terrible. Nobody wants to come out when it's below zero.
I had a double market the first weekend of July. I did a market solo at an outdoor mall while my husband and mother in law did another one in the same plaza of a celebrity owned restaurant. Both markets were terrible. I made two candle sales during the SIX hours. My mother in law and husband sold other things but the total for the day was a loss. So, I cancelled future shows with the coordinator and they issued me a refund, so that was nice.
Ah... the ups and downs of pop up life!! I am in norcal, northern California, where there are a lot of wineries. The wineries love to host popup events. I have found that when I do the big 40+ vendor events, that have been well advertised, and cost bank, I do not sell! I don't know if anyone really sells at these. Conversely, when I do the small 3-8 vendor events, at the same winerie's, I sell like crazy. One thing I have definitely learned, is there is always value to be had. I have made some of my best connections at the large "no sales events" due to the ability to connect with other vendors and create collaborations. Nothing is ever a waste. 😁
Been there! For us it’s trusting organizations to not oversaturate their markets with candles but we show up to find out we’re 1 out of like 10 😂 the worst was this towns monthly market put us next to a pickle guy next to a generator operated shaved ice truck…the organizer was so rude so I was glad to get out of there as soon as possible. What’s weird is the most money I make in the summer is my hometowns monthly market on the usually non foot traffic main road and the organizer doesn’t even charge because he’s new to this and working it out this year!
So, I am not happy you didn’t do well at this event. But I can’t lie, I am very happy you shared it with us. As someone who is just starting to get out there in my community, I find myself looking at your instagram (and that of other successful candlemakers) and get very down + jealous because I’m not there (not logical, you’ve been at this longer, earned it, and deserve it - purely emotional) and it leads to a lot of overwhelm and negativity. Don’t get me wrong sister, I’m happy for you and I also burn your candles in my home, I’m just giving you my raw truth 😂 so, even though I’m not happy about this event, I do feel a sense of camaraderie and it’s a reminder that the reality is it’s not “easy” for any maker and to just keep pushing forward. Sometimes your videos lack the rainbows and butterflies and fantasy of that of other makers and that’s what brings me back to them. Anyway, like you said, this didn’t make or break you and is the exception not the rule. And I’m crossing my fingers to a very successful coming candle season for you and your team! 🤎
I always appreciate the raw truth! Which is why I share it! Social media is rough but try to always remember, my IG and most other makers is to sell to customers, not to other makers and if I can constructively see through that lease, then hope over to something like RU-vid my mental health usually is able to bounce back, at least a little dribble. But trust me, I get it and some days I double down on scrolling and I am a MESS of self doubt, anger, jealousy and words I would be embarrassed to say out loud! Learning by doing is always going to be my motto and why I wanted to start this channel to begin with, there's so much behind the scenes that even this channel can't capture but I'm sure going to try. Sometimes it's a win and sometimes it's a loss. We just have to keep going! Thanks for watching, Jordan!
