This weekend I experienced a first. While I love trying new things, I actually despise being the “center of attention.” My introverted self can fake being an extrovert for short periods of time, but I’m most comfortable in the background or in my little group of close friends. However, this weekend I opened my first ever Farmers Market Booth and went live with a cupcake/bakery business. I’m still processing how I feel about this, to be honest. If I could just bake and somebody else goes and does the people-ing and the public part, I would be extremely content. I do realize it is good to be pushed out of my comfort zone and personal growth happens when you are most uncomfortable. I realize that, but it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it!
One of my dear friends pitched in to help, thank you!
For all my many fans out there (all two of you), here are all the details. Set-up for Farmers Market started at 6:30a on Saturday morning with the market running from 8:00a-12:30p. This meant that Brian and I woke up at 5 to get ready and pack the vehicles. Consistent with how things go for us, it was pouring and dumping rain like we haven’t seen all year when we got up. After we arrived at the correct location (yes, we went to the wrong one first), there were puddles at the market, and some vendors had rainboots on as they stood in their spots, putting up their canopies, and placing their wares out. It was raining so hard! Thankfully, by the time the market opened, the rain had stopped, and it didn’t start again for the rest of our time there.
I baked Thursday and Friday all day in between other responsibilities and obligations. We have been slowly preparing everything for the past few weeks, hence the Facebook page we have and Instagram. For cupcakes there were several different flavors–gluten free chocolate with chocolate buttercream, chocolate with mint buttercream, strawberry with strawberry buttercream, strawberry with lemon buttercream, lemon with lemon buttercream, lemon with strawberry buttercream, mocha with espresso buttercream, French vanilla with vanilla buttercream, spice cake with vanilla buttercream and butter pecan with maple buttercream.
There were four different kinds of cookies–chocolate no-bakes, chocolate chip, peanut butter oatmeal monster, and java chip fudge cookies. There were also two different types of muffins–cinnamon coffee cake and blueberry strudel.
To say that I was stressed about this whole situation would be a major understatement. My whole thought process was stuck on this mental image of standing at the end of the day not having made a single sale. Hence my prayer all month was to sell at least one item. Within a few minutes of the market opening, that prayer was answered–I made my first sale! It happened so quickly that we didn’t have any boxes assembled and had to scramble to throw one together (took longer figuring out how to assemble the silly thing than it did to make the sale!). As is, I didn’t really tell anybody what we were doing this weekend, just in case it was a colossal failure. It was fascinating to see which cupcakes sold fast and which weren’t as popular. It wasn’t a steady stream of people, but more of large groups with small breaks between. Everybody was SO sweet at the market, and the other vendors were extremely welcoming and supportive. Everybody knows everybody there, and I immediately felt welcomed and included. The two people who run the entire market answered so many questions and emails from me without ever making me feel like I was bothering them too. Very, very nice.
One very close friend texted and asked how it was going and if there was anything she could do to help. I very happily gave her my children so I didn’t have to people, make sales, remember to smile and greet, take payments, and make change while ensuring nobody kidnapped my precious tiny troublemakers. Another couple of friends dropped by and pitched in during the middle and end of the market when it was the busiest and assisted with packing everything back up end of day. You know who you all are, bless you!
At the end of the day, we did really well! We didn’t sell out of anything, but we did sell the majority of what we brought. We came away with some lessons learned, and we have some adjustments to make for next week. Our first day at the marker was so fast-paced, we didn’t think to take good photos–Brian jumped out in front one time to snap the one photo at the beginning of this post. We handed out several of our business cards, answered a lot of questions, and even booked a variety of events for later in the year. For all the stress there was, I am very, very glad I was *forcibly* pushed out of my comfort zone (thanks, honey) to accomplish this. Do I know where all this will go? No. One day at a time, one weekend at a time, one event at a time.
The most common questions I get about my little baking business are if I still enjoy it and would I ever consider opening an actual store front. Yes and yes, but that’s a stress for another day and a different time! I can only handle so much change at once without cracking. The funds from this opportunity are going toward adoption costs/expenses currently to help bring our child(ren) home from the Philippines.
For all my friends that have had one of my cupcakes, would you mind going to our Facebook page and writing a review? As always, I appreciate all the support that has been given.
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