04/10/2026
I started vending at markets at the end of 2023. These events changed my business for the better. Networking is so much easier. You learn what people like faster and what works in real time. Plus, I’m not spending weeks on an online drop that flops, even with lots of promotion and fighting with an algorithm that I’m not an expert with.
What I learned in real time with my own business:
BOOTH EYE CATCHERS
•My reworked pieces keep people talking in my booth. (Visitors excitedly bring their friends/family in my booth to show them). I display them in every spot I can so eyes go everywhere in my booth.
QUICK GRABS
•I didn’t anticipate people liking my bookmarks this much. I just brought them one day and quickly realized people LOVE them. (I’m constantly working on new designs now). They are the lowest priced pieces in my booth making it easy to commit to for the customer. Plus, they have my business info on the back.
AUTHENTICITY
•I stay true to my style and people LOVE that. I don’t just provide what is popular. I make sure these pieces simply make me happy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT/SIGNAGE
•Most people just want to browse, even if they love what you have. Saying hello, with a smile, goes a long way. I literally do everything I can to make sure my signage can help the customer out. A lot of times it gets packed and I can’t talk to everyone. But I make sure to acknowledge them so they can know who to approach if they need/want to. I have noticed size organization in my booth helps people feel less overwhelmed resulting in more sales when they can find their size quickly.
SALE SECTION
•Not sure why I slept on this one. I was told by one of my vendor friends that having something like a $10 and under rack would be worth it. I now have a mini sale section for pieces that have been in my booth for a while, all $10 and under. These pieces fly off the rack allowing me to replenish my inventory with a larger amount of fresh pieces each event. Such a duh moment for me.
There are so many more big and small things I have learned but these are what popped in my mind first.
