Trade Show Series (cont.) Guest - The Indomitable Sara Aho Lukkonen

Our last installment of Trade Show Series with Guests: Pat Riesenburger, Kate McKinnon, Andrew Thornton, Wendy Baker, Yvonne Irvin, Michael Burns, Marianne Kasparian, Nikia Angel and Marsha Hedrick.

First, I would like to thank Tamara Allison of The Vanishing Pearl for her help (well, she wrote them all? so help is not a very good description?) and Stephanie Haussler of Pixybug Designs for her suggestions. . . without them, we would not and could not have done this series.

Secondly, thank you to all of our guests – even with the wonderful questions and suggestions by Wendy and Tamara, without the answers of the guests – there wouldn’t have been anything to read? They took time out of their extremely busy schedules to try and shed some much needed light on the bead trade industry – we got answers – we got hope – we got humor and we’re done!

So here is our last guest – Sara Aho Lukkonen of C-Koop Beads!

The Sara I know. . . 

8. Can you share tips for increasing sales:

Always greet your customers.  Not only does this start a sale but it also helps make them aware that you are watching them. I always try to have new products at each of the major shows.  It brings the regulars back to see what is new.  I don’t want them walking by because they have seen everything before. 

9. Outside of shows, how do you market yourself or your brand:

I wholesale to stores.  It gets my product out there to the everyday beaders.  I started my business by going to stores and getting my products out there.  I think that it really made a big difference for me because then people recognized my products when they come to shows.  Also I have been really blessed by the designers submitting their designs to the magazines.

10. Do you use a standard setup for every show you attend or do you adjust your setup for each show:

I pretty much set up the same way every time.  The returned buyers recognize the display and they always think something is new. It is also an easy set up and take down.  It is all about getting out of the show in a timely manner!   I try to be efficient because my time is worth something too!

11. OPTIONAL: What reason would you give your clients for attending shows as a buyer, even if you were not a vendor:

There might be something new out there you just have to have.  Going to shows can bee inspiring!

12. OPTIONAL: What makes you continue to attend shows as a vendor – i.e. money, marketing, social networking:

Some sows are going to better than others.  If I continue to make money at a show then I am going to come back.  But mostly I attend shows to get the new accounts.  Stores are going to buy at the show and continue to buy through the year. Getting new accounts at a show makes it a success.

13. OPTIONAL: If you hire outside help, how do you find them - any info would be appreciated.

I do most of the shows by myself.  But when I am at some of the bigger shows I bring my Mom.  In fact she is the reason I go to the shows out west.  Other vendors look for her at the shows….she is the best Mom in the world and I feel blessed that she wants to spend time with me too. Also the show promoters or someone in the staff that knows you may have a list of people that want to work.

14. Additional comments:

Keep true to yourself.  Don’t let other people tell you how to run your business.  Believe me they will try. Try to stay one step ahead of the designers. Make things that they don’t know they want yet. Smile and have fun!

And with those words of wisdom - we end our series on Trade Shows. Thank you again - to all our guests and Tamara Allison and Stephanie Haussler. 

Find Sara and all her wonderful gadgets at C-Koop Beads.

Stay tuned. We're working on another series and we've got some FUN in store - like prizes and trivia and more! 

Leave a comment, share it, check a box, join us. Thanks for reading.

Trade Show Series (cont.) Guest - The Fabulous Wendy Baker

A continuation of our featured from Tuesday - Wendy Baker of Sleeping Dog Studio and Wendy Baker Designs. If you missed it - read it here. 

The Fabulous Wendy Baker

6. Do you have a timeline for when and how to apply for tax permits or certifications for other states? And a good way to keep up with multiple permits and tax payment deadlines:

I am so bad at all of this. So I like to pay my taxes to the show promoters at the end of the show day. Often each show promoter has a "day of show" solution to help folks like me. When I grow up and get more practiced with this, I plan to get very organized with a book and keep particularly careful records all together. I have done this for my internet shipping needs and it has been such a lifesaver. Everything is in one place. 

7. What suggestions do you have for display ideas that meet both convention center guidelines and fire marshall specifications:

So far, most of my show experiences are small scale local participations. Their requirements for tent and weight set-ups are on the applications. It is pretty straightforward. Also I haven't had any experience with fire marshall /convention center guidelines yet. As an architect (I like to refer to this as a retired condition nowadays), I was practiced with some building technology issues. The stuff I learned when I practiced has carried through to these selling venues whether I was actively thinking about it or not. The fussier things get, the more chances for complications arise.

Now I just like to keep things as simple as I can. My only real need is for adequate lighting and there is usually some easy solution to manage this through the show promoter.  My fixtures for shows are made from recycled elements. My husband is a great carpenter and has helped me make many of my display items.

8. Can you share tips for increasing sales:

If I had a clue, I would be so much happier.

I have a higher end necklace line that I love to make. Most of those pieces run around $250. It is not the most convenient price point in this economy. This has pushed me to make a lot of pieces that can be purchased with a quick trip to atm. things just under $20.00 increments are great for folks to give as gifts. I do offer some discounts to regular customers and folks who buy large quantities of things at one sweep.

9. Outside of shows, how do you market yourself or your brand:

I am learning to carry business cards all the time. And I wear what I make. It is not subtle, so I get pretty good feedback quickly. A trip to the supermarket can be more rewarding than one might expect. I have ladies come up to me often and now I have cards to give them. It puts it into their minds without formality. I get a lot of emails back this way with custom orders resulting occasionally.

10. Do you use a standard setup for every show you attend or do you adjust your setup for each show:

I do both. I try to make at least one improvement or display system per show. It lessens my nervousness and I am also excited to show it off. People like seeing that you are excited about your own work.

11. OPTIONAL: What reason would you give your clients for attending shows as a buyer, even if you were not a vendor:

To get some immediate perspective on what you are making to sell. Validation of your skills or style is also really exciting. Finally, MONEY. It matters when you need to pay your mortgage or for groceries or new supplies.

12. Optional: What makes you continue to attend shows as a vendor – i.e. money, marketing, social networking:

I am trying to do more shows and have plans in the works to improve my sales. I am trying to create a brand based on my work since it is very personal. I have 2 kids going to college this September and I am freaking out about how to pay for it. Steady selling is helping my confidence and purse.

13. Additional remarks:

You really can't move forward if you don't try different ways to sell your things. It is really important to keep trying too. It is going to be different every time and you just never know what will work until you make the effort to stretch your comfort zone.

As for the idea that you may fall on your face... recently, I literally fell at the end of a long day at a rainy, outdoor venue produced for the first time. In spite of a banged up knee, I had one of the best showings I ever have had. So I fell on my face. I did get up and had a follow up series of nice shows after that. I needed to have the worst case scenario of bad weather; exhaustion and the uncertainty of a new event coalesce. It really showed me that I could do the show scene and make it work for me. The ensuing shows were a snap after that. 

Reach Wendy using these links:

Follow Wendy's Blog : Wendy's Blog

Wendy's Etsy Shops: Sleeping Dog Studio   Bendywho!    Fabulous Wendy Baker Designs

Like Wendy's responses - tune in to our next series on Trade Shows and the rest of Wendy's answers - on Friday - we'll have another Guest - Yvonne Irvin of My Elements - Tuesday! 

Check a box, leave a comment - Thanks for reading.

Trade Show Series (cont.) Guest - The Fabulous Wendy Baker

Our next featured Guest - Wendy Baker of Sleeping Dog Studio and Wendy Baker Designs has got to be on my TOP 10 list of favorite designers. From the very first moment I saw her creations - I was hooked. She's been a fabulous friend to me over the years - something I don't forget or take lightly. She's driven, amazingly creative in all areas of her life, not just wearable art and is family oriented.
Her work has been featured in local papers, national magazines and more! You've got to visit her Etsy shop - but be prepared to drool onto your keyboard - so grab some napkins or a bib and let's dive into The Fabulous Wendy Baker.

All questions were furnished by Tamara Allison of  The Vanishing Pearl. Thank you Tamara!

1. What brand do you fall under (if any): Independent Jewelry Artist, Business Owner; Artisan and/or other:

I like to think of myself as a jewelry artist first and foremost. The sleepingdogstudio store puts food on my family's table. It too is a creative endeavor, but my jewelry makes my heart and head sing.

2. What type of Trade Shows do you attend as a vendor (not buyer) and how many shows do you attend:

Only recently have I tried to do more shows. I suppose that I haven't done many because I lacked confidence. Not so much in the products themselves, but more in being able to create a cohesive booth that represented my style nicely. Having tables and tablecloths, a tent, tent weights, inventory, ways to display it all and an ability to take charge cards, well that has been a steep learning curve. I am getting a lot more comfortable and a little faster with set up and break down as I go which is really helpful. I tweak it every time so it is more automatic and results in a lot less stress. The artistic part is something I feel pretty comfortable with. The creative part of show preparation also needs some adjusting. I need to find a balance between making tried and true inventory and trying out new ideas.

Most of the shows that I do are well within driving distance. I have only needed to stay overnight one time. I guess earlier preparation for these longer shows should be planned at least a month in advance for the hotel and transportation issues. As for the shows themselves, planning as much as 6 months to a year ahead of time seems essential. As my product is jewelry, I have lost out on some great shows. Some shows have limited numbers of jewelry vendors and the spots for these fill up fastest. I think planning the structure of a show season ahead of time is really important. My earlier commitment to this has been flawed and now I see how much earlier I need to get ready.

As for the type of shows, local ones are most suitable since I have a local following. Larger ones in Boston and other cities are nice to try to spread my wings in. I am planning on a few larger shows in the next couple of years. It is still a steep but exciting learning curve for me.

3. How far in advance do you plan for each show (i.e. inventory, advertising, hotels)?

As I have said, I am not traveling far for many shows, so I need to work on this set of skills. Planning out my table or booth in advance alleviates a lot of my stress and allows me to focus on making fresh inventory leading up to a show. Once things are set up, I really enjoy the selling and interactive parts of the shows themselves.

4. What type of advertising do you use, if any?

I have enjoyed some magazines featuring my work, so they have been a HUGE help advertising things for me.

Facebook and Twitter are also very good. I watch a lot of my jewelry friends and ask how they do their advertising. Just paying attention allows me to make connections about who is doing what and how successful is their medium.

I started a blog too. This way, I can perhaps reach out to more creative people. When in a down time, resting from plier usage... I enjoy reading other folks' blogs. I feel rejuvenated and inspired. I make it a challenge to leave a comment on a new blog every day or two. Just to try to reach out to another like minded artist.

5. Do you have any tips to prevent loss/theft at shows:

I have lost a couple of pieces over time. It is really bothersome, but I keep my eyes on things as much as possible. If I can, I ask one of my kids to help me at shows. This doubles the "security" of eyes on things. Also, I know my higher end of inventory. If something goes missing, I am aware pretty quickly. If someone wants one of my things so very badly, there is nothing I can do about it. They will have a way to get it. I don't mean to be flippant, but it is only stuff. It is not life threatening to lose things. Keeping my health and well being of my family and friends rates a lot higher on my priority list. 

Reach Wendy using these links:

Follow Wendy's Blog : Wendy's Blog

Wendy's Etsy Shops: Sleeping Dog Studio   Bendywho!    Fabulous Wendy Baker Designs

Like Wendy's responses - tune in to our next series on Trade Shows and the rest of Wendy's answers - on Friday - we'll have another Guest - Yvonne Irvin of My Elements - Tuesday! 

Check a box, leave a comment - Thanks for reading.

Continuing my 'what you would do for a friend' theme

http://goodquillhunting.com/Haute_Couture_Beading_Contest.html

Introducing my friend: Christina Neit of Good Quill Hunting.

Chris is one of those people that pops into your life unexpectedly - and when she does, you LOVE her. She's open. She's smart. She's so funny and full of life. She's exceptionally loyal...She sees GOOD in people. Now that I've become acquainted with her, she's become such a part of my life that I'm a better person. I read her FB posts all the time and well, I am certainly jealous of the time she has to devote to her love of beading and the skills she possesses to create her art.

Chris is hosting her second annual Haute Couture Beading Contest (link above and here)

http://goodquillhunting.com/Haute_Couture_Beading_Contest.html

I'm not just writing about Chris because I donated to the contest OR other reasons (she asked me to judge the aforementioned contest...still in shock?) I'm writing about Chris because it takes a BOAT load of work to host, run, organize a CONTEST and I'm proud of her. And it's a good thing to support women business owners!

So, post this to YOUR FB page. Tweet to all your friends. Tell all your beady friends about her contest. She's managed to accrue some great prizes for the winners!

And if you haven't met Chris a.k.a. Good Quill Hunting - you're missing OUT on something REAL. How about those apples?

XoXoXo

Thanks for reading. Post a comment. Come back. . .