My First Vendor Show and What I Learned
My First Vendor Show
Having my first vendor show was equal parts nerve-wracking, exhilarating, and magical in every way. After spending so much time creating in the background, truly seeing Spooky D’s out in the real world—on my table, being bought by a shopper, and sparking conversations—felt like a huge milestone. I mean, I finally DID IT! It was the moment my small business truly felt real. Not just on paper, not just in speaking with my family, and not just on little bits here and there. My sign was up, my business cards were gleaming, and I was the face of Spooky D’s in front of the world. Well maybe not the whole world, it was in my town, but it was official in every way.
So, what was it like?
Me – my creations. I had my sign out front on my table. My table had a table cloth (woo hoo!). I had a payment system which I used for the first time as well, and it worked, YES! I was sweating. For real, the butterflies were real. I had products, almost too many to fit my table. And here, I didn’t think I was going to have enough. It was truly heaven. And how did I do? I sold stuff. I had a really good time. I said to myself, if I sell at least one thing, that was “win” in my book. Always keep a positive attitude and find positive takeaways with every event is what I tell myself – that is my outlook.
Vendor setups take serious planning. Or like some, you can always wing it. From table layout (which I practiced at home first) to signage, color theme, and inventory, everything needs to tell the Spooky D’s story at a glance. And in the background, you need to have your prepped battery packs, snacks, and anything you may think you need or not.
People want to know more about what you have. If they are interested, they want to see what you have and listen to you tell them more about who your business is, what you sell, and who you are. It makes it special to make a connection and tell your side of the magical tale of how you came to be.
Every comment counts. Feedback shapes your future. You begin to draw creations in your mind and make note in that journal I talked about for an upcoming idea. It gives you an insight into what people are attracted to and how you can bring more joy to their experience. And even if they do not buy anything, you never know how much your conversation can bring meaning to someone’s life.
Setup day is workout. There are muscles I need that I do not presently have. Lol! Lifting bins and boxes, pulling carts, adjusting displays, and hauling pumpkins (well not yet) definitely counts as exercise. I burned off the calories of all those cookies I ate when I first arrived.
The spooky people are out there. Being surrounded by makers, just like me, and the Halloween everything lovers was incredibly inspiring. In the midst of the crowds, you find your people. They magnetize to your table. Your energies pull you together. And for others, you get to introduce them to your spooky endeavors.
Takeaways:
Keep a journal. To make notes about things to change, update, make new, ideas, conversation tips, connections, and so much more.
Dress for the weather. This first event was indoors, but the wind of winter coming through the main door into the space kept it on the frosty side. Which was great, because I was sweating butterflies.
Introduce yourself to your vendor neighbors. Say hi, give your name, and make connections. You never know what awesome tips and information you can gather. I always want to be the amicable neighbor.
Pat yourself on the back. No matter what, you did it. You got out there. You put your creations in front of people. You put yourself out there. And if someone says they could do it better or your prices are not for them, remember, you are worth it and lots of people never leave the couch with their ideas.
Try again. If you don’t succeed, then continue to try. Fail a million times until you find the way to make it work. Don’t give up too short of something wonderful. Vulnerability shows strength in ways you might be amazed. So, pep talks are super important. Every minute if needed. And for those people in your life that think you are a joke, or that your efforts are not a real business, remember, your opinion matters and not theirs. Keep following your dream!
This was amazing. From setting up my display to chatting with fellow makers and meeting customers face-to-face, the experience reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Every smile, laugh, kind word, and “oh my gosh, I love this” made the long prep nights completely worth it. It wasn’t just about selling—it was about sharing a piece of my spooky, whimsical world with others. It was about introducing Spooky D’s to everyone!