I love these year-end revenue videos! This year I created a spreadsheet to track profit from markets. The average vendor fee for a market is $65 for me in CT with larger events being $200. This is usually a 6ft table or 10x10 tent space. My spreadsheet tracks the fees, taxes, and additional expenses like parking, hotel, and meals. I attended 34 events this year and at least 10 of those were a complete bust. After tracking the hours worked and applying the cost of wages to myself (set at $20/hr) I lost up to $600. This is important to consider because before including all fees and wages the gross profit of some events looked ok. Tracking these numbers helps me determine which events to eliminate from my roster next year and I can put that lost $600 toward 2-3 larger events instead.
Sooo smart!! I need to do something like this for 2023!! I mean I do have Quickbooks so I’ll have an idea of an overall profit but not based on each market. Great bookkeeping!!
I’ve paid up to $600 for a booth at events in LA/Venice Beach for my old skincare business and sometimes I was lucky to make a single sale. I’ve since moved to the High Desert where a booth is around $40 and I sold several candles at my first event before the rain shut it down.
@@MrJungle123 it is but gets freezing in the winter, I’m not far from the mountains so sometimes we’ll get a thin layer of snow. I love the clear skies and seeing the stars at night.
I am very glad you did this video. I am sending it out to other vendors to see- because so many of them only look at the fact that they went home with cash in their pocket. A lot depends on saturation in the market- how many candle people are showing up to the same shows? Some vendors believe they just have to put their wares on a table and they should sell. Merchandising, talking to people, and don’t put yourself in a position of trading all your profits away! You can honestly tell who is doing this as a business and who are just hobbyists that want to sell for pocket cash. Good luck and keep up the great work!
Thanks for sharing my kids have sold candles for 5 months and wanted to try Christmas markets so I took them to two kidprenuer fairs two tables were $25 and make $96 at first and and $60 at second market
Some great guidance here. My wife and I started our small candle business in 2020. I am glad you mentioned all the benefits outside the $$ that is made at these events. We have made more connections with customers and advice from other vendors and the craft fair scene. They are also good events to launch a new scent or two and ask people what they think (also a good way to get them to stop at your booth)!
Hey!! It’s been a long time and I am so happy this video came on my recommended! I am so into vendor shows and I’m so excited to watch and relate to you on this kind of level! It’s crazy how events are SO hit or miss. In my experience this half of a year doing this, my local/way lower cost shows have been the BEST shows. Thanks for sharing all this!! My average best shows average $1,400 for way less time commitment/cost. My big city/big cost events (up to 250 each booth & I need 2 at least) I barely break the threshold at those events. So ironic.
Hey girl!! Wow It totally has been a while! Wow that’s so interesting!! It is totally crazy how hit or miss it can be! Also isn’t it crazy to run an ACTUAL small business vs people who think an MLM is a small business?? It’s sooo different 😅 Anyways I can’t wait to see more content that you post! I hope you talk more about this business that you started! Hope you and baby are doing well ☺️
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo right?!! So rewarding too! ;) coming up with all the ideas you WANT! And thank you!!! I hope all is well with you!! I will definitely be watching more often and yes! I need to get to editing! :)
I own an online candle shop in St. Louis, MO where I sell candles and wax melts and I did farmers markets for most of the summer. I did one of our small farmer’s markets so the fee was only $25 although our biggest market is $55 a day. Last year when I did the big farmer’s market for a day I made $700. But at the smaller one this year, I made an average of $350 an event. So after sales tax, booth fee, and transportation deduction, that’s $271.05 in profit every 2 weeks. The markets were on Saturday 8am to 12pm. I only had one day where we had low turnout (because a lot of events were happening in St. Louis that day) and my revenue for that day was $125 which means my profit was $92.87. Just remember, any money that you make is more money than you had the day before.
I was always told you should be able to make 10X what the booth fee is and that should be your average throughout the season so I would say with the vendor fees on those markets you did pretty good
@@WovenWilderness thank you. I always try to at least make back the money it cost to be there (booth fee, transportation) After that, whatever money I make makes me happy because it’s money I didn’t have at the start of the day.
Of course it depends on all sorts of things, but I believe the shorter events can be so much better because people know they only have a short window to buy. Also, I use Square and really need to figure out the email thing! Super smart of you to send those emails.
I agree - there is so much more that comes from the markets besides just the sales. I do the market circuits and have realized the summer markets are the worst but spring and winter are the best. I have found that offering a by 3 get a discount really helps. I also make sure I have a diverse product range and have seen my sales 3X. Love your videos.
I think group pricing savings are a good selling point also think about doing by two 16 oz candles get a 4 Oz free or wax melts free or something that is on the cheaper side free to help them try new product or give to a friend with a business card has worked great for me to keep each sale larger along with expanding business I have had the friends come back and ask because they had been given something and loved it. I like to offer different deals normally for a month or two weeks and then switch to the next one just to keep them fresh and not let the customers get too comfortable with one deal I think when you do a deal too long people think that is the price they should always be sold at.
@@WovenWilderness That makes sense. I like to test the market with different pricing strategies also. One thing is my market deals are for markets only - not online. That also helps a bit.
Great Video Erica, I am definitely going to try and hit more markets in 2023 and expand my Brand and my candle business, your videos are always so helpful. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays.
Can you make a video talking about how many candles to bring? I have A market next month my very first one and I’m going back and forth on how much to make!
I would take your booth fee and multiply it by 10 that sold be what you expect to sell in dollar amount and then bring double the amount of product so you don't sell out that is how I guess for events I haven't been to before
At your other events along with farmers markets and talk to other craft vendors sometimes flower farms do craft events tooo so keep your eye out and see what ones they go the best method I have found
I had 2 this year. Didnt do the gross yet: show #1 $250 booth fee, made $361 show #2 $30 booth fee, made $361 (Just realized I made the same at both) Also how do it do the sales tax? Is it just whatever percent times the total?
I know this is more for a Cpa question but if u know let me know: I’m doing events they are fairly cheap compared to urs. I have paid from $10 to $45 just selling wax melts and cement made items but at some events I just don’t sell or barely make the vendor fee. Some others I do sell etc. Come tax time do u see ur vendor fees back?
Thank you for this video, Erica! ❤ I haven’t thought about shows, in fact I don’t know how to find out about shows? Congrats on ALL….especially the one that was so incredibly successful in 4 hours?! That is fantastic! Thank you for sharing this b/c I honestly haven’t thought of shows. However, I have the opportunity to sell my candles at a friend’s busy hair styling salon in the near future but I have no display stand? Did you purchase your display stand or was it made for you?
Wow great video! I am working on my art store, and really wanted to connect with my community by being apart of markets. Where I live it is high to be a vendor at some of the locations. I am from GA, so I totally understand. ❤❤
I’m in Virginia and events are no more than $40-60 😂😂😂😂😂 I cannot imagine paying $100+ if they can’t guarantee sales. That’s a RIPOFF. I’d rather do a home party with charcuterie and games. Yikes 😬 go to the local church events and farmers markets where people value small business homemade and don’t charge you an arm and a leg.
I didn’t do any sales I started my business in agoust I sold some candles in farmers market and then I opened Etsy shop I didn’t make any sales even I am sponsoring my website i instagram and facebook I don’t know what’s wrong I didn’t try the local stores yet
The anime convention I applied to was $700-$1000 a table 😩🥲 but I guess that’s because it’s a huge event?! I have no idea 😂 I was waitlisted so we shall see
I want to start con vending and those types of prices is what I’ve been hearing lol guess I’ll have to grow my business a bit before I go to my first artist alley
How much did you make in your markets this year?!
TIME STAMP: Skip to 10:50 for the gross revenue :)
Thank you
I love these year-end revenue videos! This year I created a spreadsheet to track profit from markets. The average vendor fee for a market is $65 for me in CT with larger events being $200. This is usually a 6ft table or 10x10 tent space. My spreadsheet tracks the fees, taxes, and additional expenses like parking, hotel, and meals. I attended 34 events this year and at least 10 of those were a complete bust. After tracking the hours worked and applying the cost of wages to myself (set at $20/hr) I lost up to $600. This is important to consider because before including all fees and wages the gross profit of some events looked ok. Tracking these numbers helps me determine which events to eliminate from my roster next year and I can put that lost $600 toward 2-3 larger events instead.
Sooo smart!! I need to do something like this for 2023!! I mean I do have Quickbooks so I’ll have an idea of an overall profit but not based on each market. Great bookkeeping!!
Smart 🫡
I love watching you. You’re so helpful and willing to pass the knowledge
Thank you so much for watching ☺️
I’ve paid up to $600 for a booth at events in LA/Venice Beach for my old skincare business and sometimes I was lucky to make a single sale. I’ve since moved to the High Desert where a booth is around $40 and I sold several candles at my first event before the rain shut it down.
Yes it can vary soo much! How are you liking the high desert vs LA?
I'm curious, where is The High Desert?
@@MrJungle123 The High Desert is a region of Southern California. San Bernardino County. I grew up here but came back during COVID
@@alyssatucker4244 ooo. Sounds super nice and warm!
@@MrJungle123 it is but gets freezing in the winter, I’m not far from the mountains so sometimes we’ll get a thin layer of snow. I love the clear skies and seeing the stars at night.
Would love to see a video planning for a market- what to bring, how to prepare, cash/card readers, tips/tricks, ect :)
I make homemade candles it's fun and I sell the candles on Vinted.
I am very glad you did this video. I am sending it out to other vendors to see- because so many of them only look at the fact that they went home with cash in their pocket.
A lot depends on saturation in the market- how many candle people are showing up to the same shows? Some vendors believe they just have to put their wares on a table and they should sell. Merchandising, talking to people, and don’t put yourself in a position of trading all your profits away! You can honestly tell who is doing this as a business and who are just hobbyists that want to sell for pocket cash. Good luck and keep up the great work!
Thanks for sharing my kids have sold candles for 5 months and wanted to try Christmas markets so I took them to two kidprenuer fairs two tables were $25 and make $96 at first and and $60 at second market
Some great guidance here. My wife and I started our small candle business in 2020. I am glad you mentioned all the benefits outside the $$ that is made at these events. We have made more connections with customers and advice from other vendors and the craft fair scene. They are also good events to launch a new scent or two and ask people what they think (also a good way to get them to stop at your booth)!
You have inspired me so much along my journey 🎉 thank you for all you both do!
Hey!! It’s been a long time and I am so happy this video came on my recommended! I am so into vendor shows and I’m so excited to watch and relate to you on this kind of level! It’s crazy how events are SO hit or miss. In my experience this half of a year doing this, my local/way lower cost shows have been the BEST shows. Thanks for sharing all this!!
My average best shows average $1,400 for way less time commitment/cost. My big city/big cost events (up to 250 each booth & I need 2 at least) I barely break the threshold at those events. So ironic.
Hey girl!! Wow It totally has been a while!
Wow that’s so interesting!! It is totally crazy how hit or miss it can be! Also isn’t it crazy to run an ACTUAL small business vs people who think an MLM is a small business?? It’s sooo different 😅
Anyways I can’t wait to see more content that you post! I hope you talk more about this business that you started! Hope you and baby are doing well ☺️
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo right?!! So rewarding too! ;) coming up with all the ideas you WANT! And thank you!!! I hope all is well with you!! I will definitely be watching more often and yes! I need to get to editing! :)
You are such an inspiration! Where I live there are literally NO markets, but I am trying to grow my local email list 💪
I own an online candle shop in St. Louis, MO where I sell candles and wax melts and I did farmers markets for most of the summer. I did one of our small farmer’s markets so the fee was only $25 although our biggest market is $55 a day. Last year when I did the big farmer’s market for a day I made $700. But at the smaller one this year, I made an average of $350 an event. So after sales tax, booth fee, and transportation deduction, that’s $271.05 in profit every 2 weeks. The markets were on Saturday 8am to 12pm. I only had one day where we had low turnout (because a lot of events were happening in St. Louis that day) and my revenue for that day was $125 which means my profit was $92.87. Just remember, any money that you make is more money than you had the day before.
I was always told you should be able to make 10X what the booth fee is and that should be your average throughout the season so I would say with the vendor fees on those markets you did pretty good
@@WovenWilderness thank you. I always try to at least make back the money it cost to be there (booth fee, transportation) After that, whatever money I make makes me happy because it’s money I didn’t have at the start of the day.
Of course it depends on all sorts of things, but I believe the shorter events can be so much better because people know they only have a short window to buy. Also, I use Square and really need to figure out the email thing! Super smart of you to send those emails.
Chimp email is really easy to keep up with emails and making them for your customers.
That’s awesome! I have a clothing boutique and markets were not very successful for me last summer but I’m going to try again this summer.
I agree - there is so much more that comes from the markets besides just the sales. I do the market circuits and have realized the summer markets are the worst but spring and winter are the best. I have found that offering a by 3 get a discount really helps. I also make sure I have a diverse product range and have seen my sales 3X. Love your videos.
I think group pricing savings are a good selling point also think about doing by two 16 oz candles get a 4 Oz free or wax melts free or something that is on the cheaper side free to help them try new product or give to a friend with a business card has worked great for me to keep each sale larger along with expanding business I have had the friends come back and ask because they had been given something and loved it. I like to offer different deals normally for a month or two weeks and then switch to the next one just to keep them fresh and not let the customers get too comfortable with one deal I think when you do a deal too long people think that is the price they should always be sold at.
@@WovenWilderness That makes sense. I like to test the market with different pricing strategies also. One thing is my market deals are for markets only - not online. That also helps a bit.
Great Video Erica, I am definitely going to try and hit more markets in 2023 and expand my Brand and my candle business, your videos are always so helpful. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays.
Love these videos so much! I'm about to get mine started. Watching you is so helpful! Thank you!
I hope you enjoy the experience. We gave events this last year due to the increases in fees.
hey there. what kind of vehicle do you use to bring all your materials and setup gear when selling at a farmer's market?
We have a Tacoma pickup truck!
Who would you recommend contacting to find out about local events?
I appreciate your honesty. You’re such an inspiration 😊
Can you make a video talking about how many candles to bring? I have A market next month my very first one and I’m going back and forth on how much to make!
I would take your booth fee and multiply it by 10 that sold be what you expect to sell in dollar amount and then bring double the amount of product so you don't sell out that is how I guess for events I haven't been to before
Hi , I know this is a little bit cheeky, but what is your top 3 selling items, thanks DAVID UK
Your Awesome. Thank you for this video.
Depends on the markets. I paid 125 in November
Oh wow.. I do very well on markets I think it might be the location
Hi, how do you find markets? I’ve attended 2 last year, but they’re hard to find. Any tips on sites to check or how to be informed? Thanks!
Check out this video :)
ruclips.net/video/_3qP72jL0YE/видео.html
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Thanks so much! ☺️
At your other events along with farmers markets and talk to other craft vendors sometimes flower farms do craft events tooo so keep your eye out and see what ones they go the best method I have found
Impressive! Just curious to know if that is your full time source of income
Where did you get those wooden stands from!!!????
Etsy! A company called Milimetry :)
I had 2 this year. Didnt do the gross yet:
show #1 $250 booth fee, made $361
show #2 $30 booth fee, made $361
(Just realized I made the same at both)
Also how do it do the sales tax? Is it just whatever percent times the total?
Talk to tax person. But safe bet is always take out 25% out for taxes and put aside.
do you have a lot of sales online? or a little or both?
I know this is more for a Cpa question but if u know let me know: I’m doing events they are fairly cheap compared to urs. I have paid from $10 to $45 just selling wax melts and cement made items but at some events I just don’t sell or barely make the vendor fee. Some others I do sell etc. Come tax time do u see ur vendor fees back?
Thank you for this video, Erica! ❤ I haven’t thought about shows, in fact I don’t know how to find out about shows? Congrats on ALL….especially the one that was so incredibly successful in 4 hours?! That is fantastic! Thank you for sharing this b/c I honestly haven’t thought of shows. However, I have the opportunity to sell my candles at a friend’s busy hair styling salon in the near future but I have no display stand? Did you purchase your display stand or was it made for you?
I loveeeee yourrr videos!!! ❤
Thank you!! ☺️
did you sell a lot of wax melts
It depends on the event but yes we do sell quite a few of them!
Wow great video! I am working on my art store, and really wanted to connect with my community by being apart of markets. Where I live it is high to be a vendor at some of the locations. I am from GA, so I totally understand. ❤❤
You’re amazing.
Do you sell our email addresses? I got on your list and started receiving hundreds of spam emails.
Absolutely not! I have no idea why that happened. However I’ve been getting TONS of spam emails lately as well
I love your videos! I sell bath bombs not candles but just listening to your videos make me want to keep going and not give up! Thanks so much!
Aww I love that!! ☺️ Thank you for watching!
I’m in Virginia and events are no more than $40-60 😂😂😂😂😂 I cannot imagine paying $100+ if they can’t guarantee sales. That’s a RIPOFF. I’d rather do a home party with charcuterie and games. Yikes 😬 go to the local church events and farmers markets where people value small business homemade and don’t charge you an arm and a leg.
Wow in some events in Miami can cost $350-500
Waited all that time for you to talk about cost and how much it is to rent a booth and nothing 🤦♂️
Every city and event is different. Price ranges from $0-$1,000+. In my area for a 4-5 hour event it costs on average $150 for a vendor booth
Thanks for making these vids! Also, you have a Hailey Bieber vibe! Noticed that you guys talk kinda similarly haha
Oh that’s interesting I’ve never heard that before! 😅 thank you for watching! ❤️
I didn’t do any sales I started my business in agoust I sold some candles in farmers market and then I opened Etsy shop I didn’t make any sales even I am sponsoring my website i instagram and facebook I don’t know what’s wrong I didn’t try the local stores yet
The anime convention I applied to was $700-$1000 a table 😩🥲 but I guess that’s because it’s a huge event?! I have no idea 😂 I was waitlisted so we shall see
Oh dang!! It must be a huge event! 😅😅
I want to start con vending and those types of prices is what I’ve been hearing lol guess I’ll have to grow my business a bit before I go to my first artist alley