I just have to gloat a little

[NoNo]

I haven't been on here much lately, I've been sick the past few weeks and my soap business has been keeping me busy. Between orders and getting product ready for the farmer's market every Saturday, there hasn't been much time for relaxing (or riding my bike). My town's big festival was this past weekend and I took a walk through the vendor's booths. I was at a tent looking at clothes and talking with the woman. She said she just opened a high-end consignment shop on the green. I noticed that she had some jewelry on the table and I asked if they were from a crafter, or if she were interested in selling any products from local crafters. She said there was an artist that lives above the store whose work she was going to show, and she was specifically looking to work with women. That was my cue to pounce! I told her about my soaps and how I was selling at the farmer's market but looking to get into a few shops locally as well. She gave me her number and told me to call so we could get together and discuss things.

Last night I stopped by with 25-30 bars in a bunch of designs I do, just to give her an idea of what I do. Much to my surprise, she took everything! Even better, she has a second store in one of the wealthiest towns of the state and would be selling my soaps there. That store has been open 12 years, so I knew she had a good feel for the market there. She wants me to make up more bars as soon as I can so she can place them in the store in my town. It's unknown what the market there will be, but it is a somewhat wealthy town, there's disposable income to go around. The next time I see her, she's going to interview me for a little write-up on her website, and maybe I'll make a trip down to the other store for a meet-and-greet. I'm so excited! It feels good for my hard work to be paying off. There were times when I wondered what I was doing this for, if it was worth all the hours after working my regular job, worth missing out on riding and kayaking as much as I'd like, missing out on seeing my friends more. While I still miss those things and know I have to work on finding balance, I also know that this is the kind of work and dedication it takes to make a business be successful and grow. Now to scramble to make soaps for Saturday's market.....

[tulip]

That's great, NoNo! Your business really has taken off. Your soaps are beautiful and I'm sure they will sell well. You might have to hire another soapmaker, though .

[bambu101]

Congrats! I did my first farmer's market this past weekend, and can appreciate all the hard work that went into getting your soap business up and running! I am trying to branch out into some local shops with my bag business, and I think that "selling yourself" is half the battle.

Please keep us posted on how things progress!

[NoNo]

You might have to hire another soapmaker, though .

Mom's coming tonight to help I also have her come to the market with me just in case there's more than one person at the table or I want to take a walk.

Congrats! I did my first farmer's market this past weekend, and can appreciate all the hard work that went into getting your soap business up and running! I am trying to branch out into some local shops with my bag business, and I think that "selling yourself" is half the battle.

Please keep us posted on how things progress!

Good luck with your business as well! It surprised me how much effort it takes to make product to bring every week, as well as make sure I have brochures, tent, table, tablecloths, chairs, a spare gift basket (someone bought my display one the other week!), and the myriad other little things I'm still learning make selling at a market work. And then once I get through that day I have to do it all again next week! But I think of it as advertising for 3 hours every week. Even if they don't buy that day, it puts the idea in their head. It definitely helps to be enthusiastic about your product and really believe in it.

[lph]

Oh very cool! I'm a little in awe of anyone who can run their own business. It seems to take both persistence and good fortune. Wishing you the best of luck!