So, last Friday Anya and I did the State Fair.
It was not happy.
Actually, it was more like an abysmal failure. A complete loss.
I know. It's business and there will be losses and gains. Just disappointed that this venue is so bad. I did go and talk to some of the other vendors the next day and they said that weekends really pick up and that Labor Day weekend in particular should be better. However, even with that, I am still uncertain about how to prepare. For now I think I will prepare conservatively and hope for the best.
I'm also hoping to still do the Saturday market this week. It will make for a busy and tiring day for Anya and I, but it would certainly make things more worthwhile given how bad the fair was last week. The markets are really slow right now too. Hopefully they will pick up in September once the fairs and other summer events are done.
It is certainly an interesting first year of business. I have to say that I am learning a lot and don't regret trying this out!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
State Fair
Anya and I will be starting at the State Fair on Friday. That means that we are doing market on Wednesday, Fair on Friday, Market Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, then Fair Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Then back to the regular market schedule (Mon, Wed, Sat).
A normal market days is 5-6 hours at the market, plus set up and take down, so usually 9-10 hours by the time you pack up and unload, and for me an additional 3-4 hours of baking in the early morning. The State Fair runs for 12-13 hours each day. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! And still trying to work out the logistics. I think we will be two very tired people by the end of that!
Thankfully, our first day is this Friday, so we can see how that goes and then make better plans for the long weekend.
I would really appreciate your prayers for this all. It is an exciting opportunity and one I am looking forward to. My energy levels are better than they have been for a while, but I still tire easily and am a little concerned about the longer term effects of the long days. Please pray that we'll have the energy for it and that it will go well and be worth our time! Pray for Anya too as she will be the one who is actually doing most of the manning of the booth since I do the baking! She'll need a lot of energy!
A normal market days is 5-6 hours at the market, plus set up and take down, so usually 9-10 hours by the time you pack up and unload, and for me an additional 3-4 hours of baking in the early morning. The State Fair runs for 12-13 hours each day. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! And still trying to work out the logistics. I think we will be two very tired people by the end of that!
Thankfully, our first day is this Friday, so we can see how that goes and then make better plans for the long weekend.
I would really appreciate your prayers for this all. It is an exciting opportunity and one I am looking forward to. My energy levels are better than they have been for a while, but I still tire easily and am a little concerned about the longer term effects of the long days. Please pray that we'll have the energy for it and that it will go well and be worth our time! Pray for Anya too as she will be the one who is actually doing most of the manning of the booth since I do the baking! She'll need a lot of energy!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Still Out There
Yes, I really am (still out there).
I'm not sure what has happened to the last two plus weeks, but they just somehow disappeared into oblivion. I know that some of that time was while Julie was here and I will post some pictures of our trip to the coast and also Mount Hood (known in some regions as Mount Saint Hood).
Business has been trucking along. Things have slowed down a lot the last month or six weeks, but the other side of that coin is that now I am doing three markets every week. So, while I am not selling as much at each market, it is made up for by the fact that I am selling at three markets. Anya and I have come up with a schedule to rotate market days, so she takes every other market day (markets are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, which means this week I am on Monday and Saturday and next week on Wednesday). It is a big help to have those extra days of the week. I have been particularly tired the last couple of weeks, so not having to be at every market is nice. I still take Anya down and set her up and then pick her up at the end of the day, but it is kind of good as it gets me going and motivated to come home and do other prep work for the business.
I am hoping to see an accountant this week, so please pray that that will work out well. It is a little frightening to think of handing my books over to someone else--mostly because I am well aware that they are in a mess! Oh well, I guess that is the point of seeing an accountant. :)
Right now I need to hop up and do another load of dishes and then get stuff laid out for tomorrow morning. Four o'clock comes all too early these days! (Translate that to, I need to get my tush in bed a little earlier!) Tomorrow should be another beautiful day. Monday markets are my favorite because they are much more low key than the other days. Wish ya'll could come and visit me there tomorrow!
I'm not sure what has happened to the last two plus weeks, but they just somehow disappeared into oblivion. I know that some of that time was while Julie was here and I will post some pictures of our trip to the coast and also Mount Hood (known in some regions as Mount Saint Hood).
Business has been trucking along. Things have slowed down a lot the last month or six weeks, but the other side of that coin is that now I am doing three markets every week. So, while I am not selling as much at each market, it is made up for by the fact that I am selling at three markets. Anya and I have come up with a schedule to rotate market days, so she takes every other market day (markets are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, which means this week I am on Monday and Saturday and next week on Wednesday). It is a big help to have those extra days of the week. I have been particularly tired the last couple of weeks, so not having to be at every market is nice. I still take Anya down and set her up and then pick her up at the end of the day, but it is kind of good as it gets me going and motivated to come home and do other prep work for the business.
I am hoping to see an accountant this week, so please pray that that will work out well. It is a little frightening to think of handing my books over to someone else--mostly because I am well aware that they are in a mess! Oh well, I guess that is the point of seeing an accountant. :)
Right now I need to hop up and do another load of dishes and then get stuff laid out for tomorrow morning. Four o'clock comes all too early these days! (Translate that to, I need to get my tush in bed a little earlier!) Tomorrow should be another beautiful day. Monday markets are my favorite because they are much more low key than the other days. Wish ya'll could come and visit me there tomorrow!
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