Starting on your Own

By Ian Kleine

Well, you took the big step to do your own thing. Your own business. What possible steps can you take so that your business will end in success, rather than end in failure and crash and burn? Handling a craft fair business is like handling your run-of-the-mill an hour a dime shop. It still will rely on common sense, business instinct, and a whole lot of elbow grease.

First and foremost, your attitude. People like to work with people that are easy to work with, have good business ethics, and are over all polite. Avoid going to your job looking like hell has passed over your house. The night before, take a relaxing bath, a bit of music, some scented candles and do everything you can to relieve the stress surrounding your vicinity. Craft fairs would be more hectic, so stock up on the relaxation time you need so you can get pumped up and energized for the day or days ahead of you.

It is also the same when dealing with customers. Speak well and speak highly of both you and your customer. Avoid downplaying your fellow artists and focus on the strengths and good qualities of your own craft.

Be sociable in recommending other artists as well, should the customer be not satisfied with yours. You would have done a bit of pseudo-networking, and it would benefit the whole craft fair as a whole. It would be renowned for its polite atmosphere and work aura, unlike some fairs where competition is rough and tensions are high.

Focus on your booth as well. A pleasant appearance does not necessarily mean a professional one. Every fair has a set of rules and regulations one should always follow. Read up in advance to avoid the hassles of wrong impressions and rule-breaking.

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