02.23.09
Kentucky Crafted Trade Show 2009
This is one side of this year’s booth with a new “anna’s” sign that I hope will be something people remember from year to year.
Those of you who read this blog will remember the incredible Kentucky Crafted Trade Show event of last year, 2008. I wrote about it then in detail, but a quick summary goes something like this: 1) loading the car I broke my right leg; 2) with the help of a very good friend, I went anyway on crutches and in a wheelchair; 3) on Friday night we got the blizzard of the century … or at least a very long time … and the Louisville city fathers declared that nobody should drive, so it was only the vendors who had paid beaucoup monies to be there who made it to the exhibition hall that day; 4) and overall, it was a disaster you just write off as something that just happens!
This year I have to say I was VERY careful carrying soap down the stairs to load into the car. I was also without a helper this year. My good friend wisely bowed out. (Just kidding … she had serious issues and could not be there and I really missed her.) So for the first time, I had to transport the entire booth in my own car, unload and set up the booth alone, and then do the tear-down and get home. I was a little concerned.
My solution was to simplify this year. I could only carry what I fit in the Subaru, which meant leaving behind everything that I didn’t absolutely have to have.
Guardian angels
I had worried for three weeks about how I was going to carry all that stuff into the exhibition hall myself. I have a dolly, but loading and unloading, multiple trips, etc., sounded like it might test my strength. So when I pulled into the exhibition hall loading dock and got out of my car, I was in for a wonderful surprise. It couldn’t have been more than a second-and-a-half before a woman, not much bigger than me or younger either, came up and said, “Can I help you unload?” I did a double-take and the words kind of tumbled out of my mouth, “You want to HELP me?” “Yes,” she said. “I’m a volunteer and that’s what I’m here for.”
Well, I know some shows do dribs and drabs of loading and unloading help, but this was an angel in disguise as far as I was concerned. We decided she would go scour up a loading dolly while I unloaded from the car onto the loading dock, which was about five feet above where I was standing. Pretty soon she was back with another woman, and while I unloaded from the car, they put everything on two dollies and took it to my booth for me. By the time I got parked and into the exhibition hall, they had unloaded everything at my booth and all I had to do was set up! I was absolutely thrilled with the efficiency … And the help.
Also, good friends Patty and Bill helped me load and unload the car on this end, and another wonderful friend, Veronica, spent Saturday and Sunday with me in Louisville for the big retail days.
Set-up on a shoestring
Since I was doing a scaled-back version and didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted, I started putting things together slowly and letting it come together as it would. I tried several versions and then came up with the final, about three hours later. I decided it worked for me and plus I was getting hungry and ready to quit.
This is what the final version looked like.
I set up a “Man Soap” shelf, and that was probably the best thing I did because that got so much attention and also made it easier for men to come into the booth, removing the assumption that good soap is just a “fru-fru” item.
Then I set up a shelf with all new soaps from the past year. That was moderately successful. It served as a focal talking point for me, and I can use all the help I can get in that department. But most of my customers had not seen me since last year and didn’t have as much interest in what was new and what was not.
I had my large shelf set up, but tried to put fewer choices on it. Sometimes I have the sense that having so many options is overwhelming for people.
I had another small shelf with special facial soaps or soaps for people with special needs. And finally, I had a shelf with my new “Ultimate” products on it, the soap, salt scrub and the eye & face cream.
Scattered around the tables I had various gift items including sets with soap and soap dish and the three-pack series sets such as my “Kentucky Series,” “Farmers Market Series” and “Man Soap Series.”
A centerpiece to make me smile
As a centerpiece I used a treasure chest filled with pretty sea shells and a tall bottle of oil. Also I took photos of little Eva Leilani, born just a week ago, 9-year-old Lydia and my granddog Winnie. They were placed beside the centerpiece where I could see them and smile.
Economy having an effect
On Saturday, the first retail day, the show was packed and it seemed to me people were willing to spend money. However, total sales were down by about one-third, so the economy is having an effect for sure. Vendors at the show who did not have small items to sell had a very hard time. Some sold nothing! People were not parting with big dollar amounts.
Sunday was much slower, and I managed to eek out enough so that while I fell short of covering expenses, it was not by much if you don’t consider four days of labor! And I figure the prestige of doing the show is worth something. I wore my “soap doctor” lab coat from last year and people remembered it.
I also came away with several ideas for new soaps to develop this year. So many soaps … so little time! sigh.
People liked the idea of my moonshine soap, and the entire Kentucky series. It got a lot of interest, but I have to say, the biggest sellers were the old favorites with one exception. I sold out of Cucumber Mint soap, so people must have liked the fragrance combination. Pumpkin Spice soap was a good seller too, and Lavender Vanilla is getting some serious attention and sales.
During the show, I worked on a new hooked rug for little Eva and finished it, and that gave me lots of time to tell people who wanted to see it about Eva and show off her photo. A good chunk of Louisville knows all about her now.
So overall, I’d consider the show a success, given the tough economic climate. I survived, didn’t lose my shirt, and broke no bones.
