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Entrepreneurship:  Opening a Store  |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 17 2006 : 5:06:31 PM
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Gail, Search online for craft fairs in your area. Put in the nearest large town or city and things like "Arts & Crafts" or "Craft Show". You can search by mileage, or state too if you are willing to travel a bit. Also, call the chamber of commerce in bigger towns near you, they will be able to tell you what shows are in the area. I use a service called Craftlister.com, though there are many others online! Just start looking & see what you come up with! I go to shows & chat with vendors to get their impressions too! Most are friendly & will tell you anything you need to know, even how well sales are going! There are also forums that have online markets attached where each vendor has their own page of things for sale. Again, search for the type of things you want to sell, then look for forums that are specific to your medium. Also there are a few national magazines which give web addresses for lots & lots of sites that can help you. I believe the one I am thinking of is Craft Market(place?)...just check the newstands. Hope that helps!
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
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applelady
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Gail
Grand Rapids
MI
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2006 : 06:44:43 AM
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| Thanks Rhonda! Do you do outdoor fairs? I've stayed away from doing them because I don't have any cover in case it rains. I'm thinking that maybe it would be worth investing in something and doing some outdoor fairs. Have you tried flea markets? I'm wondering if that would be worth doing or if people that shop there are looking more for cheap bargin stuff. |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2006 : 12:25:47 PM
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Yes Gail, if you want to do outdoor events you will need a cover. There are a lot of companies that make shelters. The most widely used is probably the 10'X10' canopy made by a company called EZ-up. You will need something to keep your things out of the elements and to keep the blazing sun off of little 'ol YOU! For shows lasting more than one day, it's really nice to have a canopy with sides so you can secure your booth at night. Some events provide security at night, some do not. The sides are also good protection on windy days or if rain comes in at an angle. You will think you don't need them but will wish you had them! :) I took a look on e-bay and noticed there are a lot of new canopies for sale there. The prices are pretty good too...you can get a nice canopy with side for $200 or less. You might look into your local rental place to see what they charge by the day too.
I've never done a flea market. I think you probably get a different crowd there. It depends on what kind of things are being sold. Some flea markets are just a lot of old car parts & boxes of musty books! Others have a better mix of crafts & collectables. Look for shows that your things will fit in nicely with. Also, ask the promoters how many other vendors will be selling an item similar to yours. For instance, you don't want to be one of 30 jewelry vendors among 100 exhibitors! Promoters are getting really vigilant about keeping out things that aren't handmade. Shows that feature handmades only will attract the crowds you want. I hear a lot of folks complain that there is too much junk mixed in at most craft shows, and they are starting to avoid those shows. Hope that helps!
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
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jamsnbread
True Blue Farmgirl
61 Posts
Is
Worth
IL
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 6:35:56 PM
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My sister opened up a candle shop this past summer and she only lasted a couple of months and had to close it down. Sales were not happening and the landlord was unbearable to deal with. Stores are a huge risk and unless you have a lot of capital be very careful.
Is.
Jams -N- Bread
www.jams-n-bread.com
info@jams-n-bread.com
C & A Computer Services
www.cacrs.com
info@cacrs.com |
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garliclady
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Reidsville
NC
274 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 04:48:43 AM
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I am not a crafter but a farmer . I sell at an indoor farmers market that has a lot of crafters also. Most customers who come are deicated to locally grown and also are interested in hand made. This place is not like a flea market where prices are low but just the opposite.
If you are looking for a weekly place to sell check out regional farmers markets. They are not all the same. Go as a customer see what kind of stuff is being sold and what the customer base looks like talk to vendors and customers.
Most of our crafters do fine work and love that face to face contact with there customers that you would get at your own store but with less worry and cost. You would also have the freedom to close your "little store" to go to big craft shows ect when you need too.
Cornerstone Garlic Farm http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&ext=1&groupid=140532&ck=
My Recipes http://recipecircus.com/recipes/garliclady/ |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 11:53:51 AM
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Ladies -- after all this discussion I have some really exciting news to share!! The North Clark County Farmgirls are opening a country store! One of our members, Patti, lives on five acres which is on a busy road off another busy main road. She has been wanting to build a building to use as a craft room. She finally decided to have a portion of her barn converted into her room as it was less expensive. We have all been kicking around ideas of how we could showcase our different talents -- I sew and make soap, Missy does soap, Patty makes chocolates, and Cheryl does soap stuff too. Then we also do "redone" furniture and home decor items. We've been having sales every quarter at my house. Well -- Patty has graciously offered her new room to be used as The Farmgirl's Country Store! We won't have any overhead as far as rent so that's a big plus. We'll be open 3 days a week -- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We're getting together tomorrow night to hash out the other details but should be open for business in about two weeks!! I'm so excited.
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/therusticcottage/
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com |
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 12:07:30 PM
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Hooray, Kay!! Congratulations Farmgirls!! I wish I could come to shop. Maybe one day! Mazel Tov!
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com |
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sugarsfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
272 Posts
Leah
Woodward
Iowa
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 9:29:40 PM
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That sounds wonderful Kay!! How great that will be for you girls!! I wish you gals nothing but the best!!
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi |
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Christine in Clark Fork
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Christine
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 08:55:07 AM
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Kay--Sounds wonderful. Low overhead and someone to share the work and fun with is the way to go. Good luck.
Some thoughts on quitting a job to start a business. Speaking from personal experience, make sure you get some sort of health insurance. When I quit my job to stay home with my baby, my family no longer had insurance. After a few years, I was able to afford a policy with a large deductible ($5,000). Lucky I did, five months later my husband fell from a ladder and shattered one elbows, broke the other elbow and a wrist. The cost ran over $25,000. The insurance capped our expense. We would have gone under without it. So I strongly recommend at least some sort of insurance for your family's financial protection. |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 09:22:35 AM
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How wonderful to be starting a farmgirl enterprise! Please let us know how it goes - I'm very interested, and I wish I lived closer so I could come and visit!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 7:27:22 PM
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Just had to let you all know that our Farmgirl's Country Store is opening on April 14th! The room is almost done and we'll be moving merchandise in on Wednesday. We're all so excited! But also feeling a little overwhelmed as there is much to be made and completed to put in the store. I will send pictures after we have it all set up.
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
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Entrepreneurship: Opening a Store |
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Opening a Store
