Should I do this show? Need advice...

[bows and bags]

Good luck Ali! Sometimes these home shows are great and other times, they really bomb. I'm hoping this one does really well for your sake. Advertise the crap out of it so you'll have good turn out. Good luck!!

[cjohns35]

After reading all these things about these shows I am more confused and unsure what to do now. It just doesn't seem like these go very well. I think it matters where you live, what style hair bows do well in your areas, how many folks are expected to come to these shows and what type of show is it. For example I live in Miami, Fl and my show is at a very high end private school. The catch is: my table is $150 and they keep 10% of profits. I was going to share my table with a friend therefore splitting the price. My concerns are that the other vendors at this school sell very expensive boutique clothing and jewelry. The owner advised me she didn't think it would be a good idea for me to get a whole table alone costing $150 + 10% d/t her high profits. My other problems is displaying all my stuff on half a table, how could I possibly profit well with that? Sorry for sounding so discouraging. I may try it anyway just to see how it goes and to at least pass out my business cards.

[kaneohegirl]

if you know its a high end school then you need your prices to reflect that... not too high that they look at you like you are insane but not too low that they think its cheap or trashy...

boutique-y high end clothing stores sell the same hair things that you do... they just mark it up to a insane degree (IMHO) I mean really a crochet beanie that you get from a accessories palace buy that was .30¢ and a walmart silk flower w/ rhinestone for $22 holy smokes... but somewhere in the middle is where you want to be.... (yes I went to a high end show to scope it out recently and was appaled at some of the prices)

go find you some local high end kids boutiques and scope out their prices... then make signage that says similar to those found in local boutiques...

[alibug]

Thanks again for all the advice! I am going to sign the agreement today and send it in! I am excited, but suddenly feeling overwhelmed. I don't have displays. When I go to bow parties I just borrow a tablecloth and my bows are on hanging ribbon laid on the table. I need something better....I guess i need to do my research.

[danielle06]

I would do it since the table fee is low - glad to seeing you are going to try it!

I decided against a show for a high school that was $125 for a table + 10% of sales + a mandatory donation (value specified of $35 or more). That, IMO, would not be worth it.

[emkirkley]

I would do it...the shows that are similar around here have baby consignment stuff too...but the fee on them is like $35 and 20% commission...so I think it's pretty fair, especially if you don't have to man a booth if you need to go somewhere else.

[hipclips08]

Hi! I live in Utah and just started doing craft shows! I know all the craft shows I have done so far they have taken a % because they have all been central checkouts-(I don't handle the money) 15% is high to me. All the ones I have done have been 8-10%. The entrance fee is alot lower than most I've seen though so they are probably making up for this by increasing the %.

As for a display you could get a grid wall and hooks and just put all your bow cards on there. That is what I am going to do at my next show.

There is a 3 panel display here: GRIDWALL FLOOR FIXTURES. Its around $50.00

I would say just try it and see. After you invest in a few shows you'll see what percentages are worth it, what entrance fees are good etc.. my first show was awful and a waste of money but now I know better than do it again! My last 2 were excellent!

Just give it a try! Good Luck!