Jennie and Davis recently had their first craft show booth, and they were absolutely thrilled with the success they achieved. As a couple who are passionate about watching people grow and are building their own furniture business, they were excited to see the amount of money they made. They have a strong desire to help others overcome their fears and weaknesses, as evidenced by their presence on Instagram and their blog. In their woodworking projects, they have used various tools such as a track saw and a Fuji sprayer. Leading up to the craft show, they were busy building walnut charcuterie boards, despite encountering some hiccups like a broken belt and even witnessing a fight at Home Depot. Nonetheless, their hard work paid off as Jennie sold 45 boards and earned over $5000 in sales. Although the event itself didn’t yield significant sales, it provided valuable exposure for their brand to over 200 people in the upscale area of Houston. They firmly believe that being known is more important than having the best product and plan to continue building their brand through similar events.
Preparing for the Craft Show Booth
Building walnut charcuterie boards
Jennie and Davis began the week by building a new batch of walnut charcuterie boards. They were excited to have this opportunity to showcase their woodworking skills and the beauty of their products. This batch of boards would be the last ones they had to build before moving into their new commercial space, which was an exciting prospect for the couple.
Dealing with hiccups
During the process of building the boards, Davis encountered a hiccup when the belt on his tool broke. He had to go to Home Depot to replace it, but little did he know that he would witness a fight between an employee and a random plumber during his visit. Although he didn’t understand the cause of the fight, he has mentioned that he wished he had recorded it for their followers, as it would have provided some entertainment. Despite this unexpected hiccup, they persevered and continued with the construction of the boards.
Shipping out cards
In the midst of their preparations, Jennie took on the responsibility of shipping out cards to potential customers. She processed the cards of their two new clients, Thomas and Igor, and ensured that they were sent out promptly. They were eager to establish a strong customer base and provide their clients with top-notch service.
Preparing for the move to a new commercial space
The impending move to a new commercial space added an extra layer of excitement to their preparations. They were eager to leave their current space behind and explore a larger and more professional setting for their furniture business. The couple had already made a series of videos showcasing potential commercial spaces and discussing the details of what they wanted to incorporate. They encouraged their followers to watch these videos for an inside look at their decision-making process.
The Craft Show Booth Experience
Event at a coffee shop
Jennie and Davis were thrilled to participate in their first craft show booth, which was actually a pop-up store located in a coffee shop. They saw this as an excellent opportunity to introduce their brand and products to potential customers in the local community. The coffee shop was situated in River Oaks, an affluent area of Houston, which further added to their excitement.
Nervousness and concerns
Despite their enthusiasm, the couple couldn’t help but feel a sense of nervousness and have concerns about the event. This was their first time setting up a booth and selling their products directly to customers. They worried about potential challenges such as Wi-Fi connectivity, availability of outlets, and other logistical issues. However, they were determined to overcome these concerns and make the most of this opportunity.
Packing everything they needed
To ensure a successful booth setup, Jennie and Davis meticulously packed everything they needed for the event. This included their laptop, their backup Glowforge laser, packaging materials, crinkle paper, and of course, their charcuterie boards. They had to carefully plan and organize their equipment and materials to fit within their designated six to ten feet of wall space in the coffee shop.
Setting up the booth
On the day of the event, Jennie and Davis arrived at the coffee shop with high hopes. They set up their booth, strategically placing the laser and boards to catch the attention of passersby. They even had conversation starters to engage potential customers, aiming to create a welcoming and interactive environment. Despite their nervousness, they were excited to see how the day would unfold.
Results and Reflections
Low sales at the event
Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the couple experienced low sales at the event. They only managed to sell one board, and that was to a friend who had specifically come to support them. It was evident that the event was not the right fit for their product, and they acknowledged this disappointment. However, they chose to focus on the positive aspects of their experience.
Realizing it was not the right fit
Jennie and Davis soon realized that the pop-up store event was not the ideal platform to sell their charcuterie boards. The timing, location, and lack of advertising all played a role in the low sales they encountered. They understood the importance of choosing the right event and ensuring that their target audience aligns with the products they offer.
Lack of advertising
One crucial aspect that contributed to their lackluster sales was the minimal advertising they had done for the event. They had only shared a few Instagram stories on their relatively small account, which had limited reach. They realized that to attract a larger audience, they needed to generate more buzz and hype around their participation in the event.
Opportunity to get their brand known
Despite the disappointing sales, Jennie and Davis recognized the event as an opportunity to get their brand known to over 200 people in the affluent area of Houston. They understood that being known and recognized was more important than immediate sales. This event served as a stepping stone towards building their brand and establishing themselves in the local community.
Belief in the importance of being known
Jennie and Davis strongly believed that being known was a crucial aspect of business success. They were determined to continue participating in similar events, network with potential clients, and build relationships with people in the wealthier parts of Houston. They firmly believed that, over time, their dedication to getting their brand known would result in significant orders and increased business opportunities.
In conclusion, Jennie and Davis’s first craft show booth experience was both exciting and challenging. They faced hiccups and concerns throughout their preparation process but persevered with their woodworking projects and shipping out cards. The event at the coffee shop did not yield the expected sales, but it provided them with valuable insights and the motivation to continue building their brand. They recognized the importance of advertising and being known in the industry, which would eventually lead to business growth. Overall, despite the initial setbacks, the couple remained optimistic and focused on their goal of establishing a successful furniture business.
