Vagabond Bags & Gifts

This past Saturday at the Western Fair Farmers Market (formerly known here as the London Farmers Market) was awesome! Not that the traffic was any heavier but they were at least buying from me! Michelle and Doris helped a lot by stopping by and buying a few things too.

Spent three days last week at University of Western Ontario (UWO) Bookstore, immersed in one of my key markets (the 20-something university girl into chic accessories). As I thought, they loved my Mexican candywrapper bags, but bought more of the small change purses instead. After splitting the profit with UWO, there wasn't much financially to show for my effort but I learned more about my merchandise and what was performing well or not.

Basically I have to diversify. My best target demographic is the well-educated, middle-aged, middle-to-upperclass woman. She's the one who browses 10 Thousand Villages, and is able to pay for Fair Trade, unusual gifts.

I was trolling the internet checking out Fair Trade organizations and came across a book called "How to Open a Fair Trade Store". Well, where were you for the past year?! I ordered it and have found out mistakes I've made already. One, ordering too many of the same items. Two, not knowing my customer. Three, relying just on my taste. And I'm sure I'll discover more as I keep reading. One big thing I did right is I started small, and am growing the business within my means. No bankruptcy in the immediate future, at least.

I also found a place that shipped me Fair Trade buttons, posters, and handouts for free which I've sprinkled on my sale tables and around my booth like confetti. I want a bigger booth! I want to feature ceramics, wood, kitchenware, and sculpture, in addition to my purses!

I have big plans and no money, but there is another book I plan to get called "Guerrilla Marketing" which promises to show me the way to advertise and market without a big budget.

I've started already by making a time to meet with Dave to plot future ads for the Farmers Market with him. It's not too late to advertise for Christmas! Also I roped two other vendors into helping me post a dozen ads in various categories on Kijiji every Wednesday.

Next up, I'm taking my show on the road to Cawthra Secondary School in Mississauga, to be part of their Responsible Shopper event. And Bruce and Peggy invited me to share a booth at the Bell Bldg. downtown four days in December.

GRRRRR! Rev up the sales motor!