Rockin

Congratulations on surviving your first show. As you do more shows there will be plenty of learning experience. Scented and I still are amazed at the little things we pick up along the way. Yes you can still teach an old dog new tricks. Being a guy I can tell you that yes there are plenty of men that enjoy the finer things in life. I just love it when I see a Boyfriend/Girlfriend or hubby/wife appear at our booth and chuckle when I see the gal cross that imaginary line and the guy stops like he has hit a brick wall. The ol sale's man attitude goes in to action and I look to see how they are dressed and then I figure out what might make this guy get involved with his gf or wife. If it means pulling a candle of the shelf or some other item to let them "sniff" then so be it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. So don't be afraid to keep learning. Good luck in the future. Rockin

Scented is correct in that we had very good week end. What she doesn't know....oops the secret is out now...is the positive attitude we had. I got up at 5 AM for the first show and was there setting up by 6. It really helped that the organizers put us right next to the gate where EVERYBODY had to walk past us first to get to any other booth. It also helped that they allowed me to drive my vehicle up to the gate and unload. It is amazing how the organizers treat those that arrive very early. I noticed it last year and again so far this year. Makes for a great attitude. Early bird gets the worm so to speak. Anyway was doing OK and then when scented show up the sales really took off. When the ladies ask if we make these candles ourselves it really helps when I can say yes we do and there is the creative one that makes em...meaning aka scented. 2nd show I got up at 3:45 AM and left my house at 4:30 and was at the show site at 6:15. This time I was late getting there first...was the 3rd booth.... ....anyway I checked in and the 2 guys and 1 gal asked how I was doing and I said this "Today is gonna be a great day" they ALL laughed and asked what planet I was from...I said "IF my eyes open and I can get out of bed in the morning it is gonna be a great day". Talk about the service.... quick and I was on my way to the booth spot. Since I was "first on our little side street" I got to watch or hear all the other vendors set up. Talk about negativity. You would have thought the world was coming to a end. Home Interiors showed up and was on one side of us. Then another candle maker showed up and complained about the booth space. They thought that there was gonna be open space between booths. Later on she came over and visited. I was nice but I sure wasn't gonna give out any trade secrets. You learn those from the school of hard knocks. LOL The weather was nice and so were the "customers". Once again I had quite a few folks come in and tell me that they could smell "our" candles from down the street. No time did I hear them say that to the other 2 vendors on either side of us except towards the end when 1 elderly lady said that to the late showing up vendor and the vendor "HAD THE GALL TO SAY THANK-YOU". The elderly lady turned and saw us since she was probably 2 feet from our candles and suddenly realized that she had smelled "our candles" and not the competitor. We locked eyes and she knew that I wasn't gonna even respond to her. Sadly she walked away. The show ended and as we were breaking down for the day... the late showing vendor complained that they only did about 3 times their booth fee. I knew how they felt but I smiled inside anyway as we did over 8 times our booth fee. I am sure there will be days when it may be slow but I don't care...for it was a "great day". I can't wait for next weekend to see if my eyes open and I can get out of bed. Rockin

I have worked many of the Nascar races in the last several years. You would be surprised how many folks have talked about that fragrance. I have smelled the candle and it certainly does have a unique smell. I thought the same thing at the first and then came to the conclusion that NASCAR folks are buying the brand name just like everything else at the race tracks.

I keep telling her she should go with my favorite name for a new scent. Rockin by Rob

Got home today from a rather dreary rotten day at work and when I checked the answering machine there was 3 calls from the local newspaper in a nearby town. So when I returned the call the gal informed me that they were wanting to do a feature story on local crafters for the upcoming festival in a few weeks. They wanted us because of the uniqueness of our products. I about tumbled out of my chair when she said that. So I preceded to blah, blah, blah with the information. Got so excited that I forgot over half of what we made. Called scented and told her. She got excited and said I should call the reporter back and tell her about the other half that we made. So I did. The article should appear in about 10 days. They may even want pictures. Don't know yet as she needed to check with the editor. So the moral of the story is even after the storm there still is a rainbow. Rockin

Yeah the boy king is coming to stay with the LION king. I told scented that maybe I should go as a cabana boy. Somehow that didn't go over to well. Oh well maybe next year. Oh the stories I am sure will be told. Hope you all have a great time and learn a thing or two while yall are there.

I was there and heard the same request. I wonder if we can get a bread scent. PB and Jelly on bread. NOw wonder if we can get a scent of pickle to go with it. LOL

It was good thing that Dr. Rob was in the house.

Well it was touch and go there for awhile. I was fearing for my life;). I wish scented could talk in italian....man that would be quite something....no wait....I want to be able to get out of the line of fire. Needlessly to say she got it done and while my ears are still blistered I have to admit I am proud of her. Way to go honey. Sherie when are you visiting?

With a cheering section like this I can see the game will be lively. Julie will be slam dunking before you know it. LOL #1 Fan

I can see for sure that I would never get a word in edgewise. between the cats and you all.

Well this ought to be an interesting subject when I arrive this weekend. I can't wait to try it out.

You are too much girl. Never knew a woman that wanted just extra supplies and shoes.

I don't get to excited on the shipping fees. Yes they are expensive. With my current position in logistics and traffic for my normal job I see all different types. Shipping costs alone have gone up from 5% to 30% just in the last year for the company that I work for. That is why businesses are willing to charge less or more depending on that particular companies policy. That is also why as a consumer or businessperson you learn how to factor in the costs. As a business we all have to either pass on the cost or eat it. We may not like it but it is out there. Isn't it great being a candle maker????

Did some one say sugar daddy??

When scented and I are at the same show one of us will take the money and make change while the other writes down what was sold. When I am by myself at shows I have had up to 5 or more in line waiting to pay. I tell that my fingers don't write as fast. If they grumble about Uncle Sam getting his share I just say I completely understand but I want to be around for next year's show so they can come back to buy again. Most of the time they to busy raving about the candles and scents and how they look.

Wow so that is how you made that candle you sent me. :laugh2:

I will defer that to the other half...she is the creative one. I just do the marketing and logistics. Rockin

Man if I took everything that the list suggested I wouldn't have room for any of our products.

Being a old sentimentalist on bears. I always have to quietly shed a tear for my kids....yes we name our bears....when they find a good home. I only hope that some day they will come back and show me all the pictures of their kids and grand kids. Funny how a little fury creature can put a smile on some one's face. After all is it not what this business is all about....turning a dreary day and making some one happy??

Congratulations on a successful show.

i just don't get it....Jolly ol St. Nick sold today along with another sherie sunflower bear. I think Mrs. Claus was in a state of shock that the old guy left her... now I am going to have to comfort her and I am at a loss of words myself. Rockin

Scented and I did a show where we got clobbered by the local candle person or at least we thought we did...at the end of the show after we had done are usual inventory.... we realized we had done almost 4 times our booth fee...considering it was our first time at this particular event....sometimes the pot at the end of the rainbow is fuller than you think.

congratulations on a great success. Scented and I know all about the getting little edgy part...

Congratulations....that is sooooo awesome. You tell your big gurly burly guy that he has company and not the only dude that loves to mingle with the "girls". Rockin