While I am not blogging, I am running my novelty shop 6:23 Detroit Shop, which is a brand that I created myself to promote self growth, creativity and always showing up as your best self.
I’ve attended a couple pop-up shops to sell my products and also connect with other vendors.
Just yesterday, I was a vendor at a Valentine’s Day pop up shop where I sold mini cakes, cookies, greeting cards, and note pads.
Here is a guide on how to host a Valentine’s Day pop up shop:
***This post contains affiliate links , which means I may receive a small commission , at no cost to you, if you make any purchases through the Amazon links.
Attend or host your own
I have not hosted my own pop-up shop but I have been a vendor at them. My biggest advice about finding a pop-up shop as a vendor is to understand who the host is and what you’re vending at.
Some people vend at rented party halls, fashion shows, music venues and outdoor markets.
Before paying for a vendor spot, here are a couple things you should take into consideration.
- Research location, see whats the location about, is it a hall? Farmers market? Understand the location and area you will be doing business in.
- Ask about previous pop-up shops because you want to make sure that they are not scamming you.
- See who have vended for them before because you want to make sure this event is worth your time and effort.
- Understand who you are selling to or with.
- Visit other pop-up shops to get an idea of how they operate.
Be prepared
Being prepared is my biggest tip. Please make sure you have an idea of what you’re selling, how much you’re going to sell and why you’re selling that particular item.
Tips on how to prepare:
- Pick a theme; if you’re doing Valentine’s Day then that’s your theme.
- Create a list of products you plan to sell, less is better.
- Buy products and equipment weeks in advance.
Waiting to the last minute is possibly the worst thing you can do.
Basic items your business need at a pop-up shop
- 6-foot table
- Table cloths: I got my tablecloth from Amazon and it’s very simple to use.
- Chairs
- Table decor
- Money container
- Price list/ Menu
- Business cards
- Gift bags
- Calculator
Additional items
These items are not typically required but they can make your pop-up shop a lot better!
- Brand banner
- Freebies
- Stickers
- Samples
Make your table stand out and only bring quality items.
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Make connections with other vendors
Make an effort to meet other vendors and connect with them. Majority of the time they have resources and can help you with other events or even just connect with them on social media.
You never know what connections or resources other vendors may have so it’s always a good idea to make business friends while you’re out vending.
Understand that as a beginner business that sometimes you give more than you get back
I would be lying if I said that every pop-up shop I vended at was successful. Sometimes I went home with almost all of my items that I made. It can be super hard and discouraging but as a beginner business I realized that these events are just the start. There is more to come and it’s really all about experience, building a network for bigger, better events and opportunities.
Remember to have fun, enjoy yourself at these events and make a name for yourself!