Hey all. I want to think I am pretty good with money (when I was starting out it was a slow process - spending and paying off things , as I am sure I am not the only one), but for awhile was doing well with money - only buying with what I have and earned ... At the beginning of this year, I decided to change a few things with my business - aside from a name change (which was greatly needed), I changed my labeling/hangtags, business cards etc. (things really don't cost much as I design and make my own and is a normal cost anyway). However, I did a new website (leaving the old one up as you never know) and the biggest expense was buying a new display - items from Woodland Marketing. Although I had the money for the simple things, and of course paying for some shows too, I thought I would have the money in a month or two to pay off the new display, especially after a show I was doing in March. Well, that is when the financial slump started. The show ( in March) which cost approx. $500 for the space (and was local so my only other "real" travel expense was gas), I only earned $450 (still better than what others did at the event, but not great really). With that and a few other minor expenses my debt (which there wasn't any up until Jan.) ended up being $2,000. I have been slowly paying it off - that is the good thing - as I am meeting milestones each month either by earning extra money at a part time job (which I am loving and also aids in bringing in income as I am able to sell my work there too) or sales at shows or orders. I am able to pay about $500 a month down. I am close to paying off that debt by the end of the summer but am in desperate need of a new canopy (I posted the discussion Death to my EZ-UP). I have decided to get a Trimline as the more I hear testimonies, watch the videos in how it is set up and everything else in between, I am sold. However the price is $895 (or so). A big ouch! However this is something I need to do my August and fall shows and other futures shows to boot. Should I bite the bullet and just buy it or wait? On top of that I badly want to participate in 2 events, a wholesale gift show and a Thanksgiving time "Christmas/holiday" Art fair. Both are big ticket items and since I am trying to NOT go into debt again - something I can't stand - I am thinking of doing one. The other question - which is best option? The wholesale show costs more, but is a great opportunity to sell a big number of items I have (holiday items are my biggest sellers) and a good chance for landing wholesale accounts - good for future business. Or go with the Thanksgiving time show which is cheaper (but still high priced for me) and at least get full price for my work, but not guaranteed much. I have been toying with this issue of money regarding saving and spending

and need help from fellow peers on this. My mind is thinking - I want I want I want trying to justify I need I need I need, however my heart is aching in the sense I don't want to go back into debt. Thoughts??? I need help. Michelle P.S. Money photo is from crooksandliars.com

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  • I ended up buying a 10x10 Trimline yesterday. It should be delivered mid week next week. After the recommendations, testimonials on other websites, information on their website, plus video demos of them being set-up, I am now glad I did (still biting my nails over the fee however). So far the experience has been wonderful talking to the people with flourish.com - tremendously helpful, great listeners, and genuinely want to know about you - wanting to get to know their customers. What a sigh of relief to know customer service isn't dead, yet. When I get the canopy I plan on setting it up immediately (weather permiting) and post the photo here. Thanks a million times over for all who helped me in making my decision much easier. - Michelle
  • The Timeline is a tent that if for some reason you do end up way over your head in a year or two you can resell it easily for a few hundred dollars less then you bought it for.

    If you look at most successful start up companies, they all had to take loans to get started. (or offer stock options or borrow from family) So if it is a need for you and a need to look more professional (real gems rather then fake, nice frames rather then cheapies etc etc) then don't feel too stressed about the debt. Just don't overdo it. Simplify how much inventory. Do higher end so you can ask more money. Reassess your travel/booth expenses.

    This year was a year that I was going to try out a bunch of different shows in different markets to see where I should focus my attention next year. Well...I haven't figured it out yet. I do though think that trying some really, really low booth fee and local shows is my answer for next year. I made enough to break even this year....had some awesome shows but had more downright bad shows. So because I broke even, I don't have any money yet for next year's booth fees. Thus, I will be forced to look at alternative shows and opportunities to setup and sell...and only apply for select Zapp shows that will enable me keep my travel expenses down.
  • Thanks so much for the input. Hearing things like - of course it is a huge chuck of change, but if you break it down to how many shows you do a year (etc.) it puts things in more perspective. Thanks! - Michelle
  • Buy a Trimline canopy. They are worth it and will last. We bought ours in Jan 2001 and do between 15 and 20 outdoor shows a year. With the stay-bars, light bars, and 3 awnings we have about $1300 tied up in it. We started out with the basic tent with stay-bars. At that time it was $750. If you figure it out it averages out to less than $10 a show for the tent. It is a big expense up front but if you take care of it, it will last a long time. We set ours up in the back yard at least 2 times a year and completely clean it inside and out. We fold our canvas after every show. We never wad it up. I expect it to last at least another 5 years. The first month we had the tent, we set up for two shows in AZ. The second one had a sand storm come thru. We were one of 4 tents that didn't come down. We have withstood many storms with 50 to 70 mph winds. We put 62 lbs of weight on each leg. Good Luck.

    Rosie Bryant said:
    Hi Michelle,
    I would love to be able to share some important info with you but I am new and still learning so much.
    I have been to the little festivals with booth rent of 35 to 50 dollars and I did just fine. I know that
    this is probably a one time thing....so I am very careful in what I invest into hoping that some
    of my art will be purchased again.
    Good to read all the replies.
    Rosie
  • Hi Michelle,
    I would love to be able to share some important info with you but I am new and still learning so much.
    I have been to the little festivals with booth rent of 35 to 50 dollars and I did just fine. I know that
    this is probably a one time thing....so I am very careful in what I invest into hoping that some
    of my art will be purchased again.
    Good to read all the replies.
    Rosie
  • Hello Michelle,

    Just starting out I struggle with this too, but only insofar as my start-up costs are so huge. I have 2 kids under 4 which are my main job, and I'm home schooling the oldest... I don't have the time let alone the money to go running around the country for fairs- but I also can't go out every weekend and do local fairs either. My strategy has been to buy what I can barely afford, make it, or do without. I owe myself for the things I *have* to have, like my swiss gear canopy, but I'm putting off buying my much more efficient tools and materials until after I pay myself back. For my very new mostly un-informed two cents... I think your canopy is important, highly required, and could be offset by doing a multitude of small shows. My very first show was a little school fair type- I competed with the inflatable rides and still sold $400... granted, that was what I spent to get ready for the show, but since you have all of your setup together already, you could pay for your canopy with 3-4 local shows.

    Good luck!
    Kaelin
  • Given your past history with EZ UP and past posts have described yours as pretty much shot, get that good one Michelle. This isn't a want for you, it's a need. There, I said it - you now have a rationalization for the debt. OR not...... Paula's advice is better than mine.

    Michelle Sholund said:
    I have to say first - thanks for all who have replied and allowing me to feel a little more comfortable. It isn't easy for me, and am sure for the rest here too, to say juggling finances on an "artist's" salary isn't easy as you really want to keep up the persona that we are successful, or things are slow but it will pick up, etc. So for all of you thank you for the advice.

    One thing I didn't mention though is some of the shows I do are small ones - anyone willing to purchase a a space will be accepted (if you know what I mean). And they can be good shows - depending on the client el. For instance my last show, last month, was at a Strawberry Fest - long running one I might add - and a 10x20 space was only $35. I made several hundred dollars. I just keep thinking, only if I can do that at bigger shows and I WANT to do bigger shows that draw big crowds that appreciate handcrafted art and fine crafts. After all these shows draw people who can afford "stuff". But at the same time I would rather be happier breaking even than in debt wondering how will I make it out. I really don't know if or when (as I am hoping it is a when) the economy will take an upswing.

    The thing is I do need the canopy - a canopy (the one I really want most preferably) as it is in a sense "insurance" against the weather and sunburn and so many other things. I can't waist another $200 on a canopy that will break again on me - I am ready for that big investment as I know it is a one time deal. But as for shows in general as my calender isn't full yet, I am well, on the fence still. It would just be nice to know if I am the only one - I kinda feel that I am not. - Michelle
  • I have to say first - thanks for all who have replied and allowing me to feel a little more comfortable. It isn't easy for me, and am sure for the rest here too, to say juggling finances on an "artist's" salary isn't easy as you really want to keep up the persona that we are successful, or things are slow but it will pick up, etc. So for all of you thank you for the advice.

    One thing I didn't mention though is some of the shows I do are small ones - anyone willing to purchase a a space will be accepted (if you know what I mean). And they can be good shows - depending on the client el. For instance my last show, last month, was at a Strawberry Fest - long running one I might add - and a 10x20 space was only $35. I made several hundred dollars. I just keep thinking, only if I can do that at bigger shows and I WANT to do bigger shows that draw big crowds that appreciate handcrafted art and fine crafts. After all these shows draw people who can afford "stuff". But at the same time I would rather be happier breaking even than in debt wondering how will I make it out. I really don't know if or when (as I am hoping it is a when) the economy will take an upswing.

    The thing is I do need the canopy - a canopy (the one I really want most preferably) as it is in a sense "insurance" against the weather and sunburn and so many other things. I can't waist another $200 on a canopy that will break again on me - I am ready for that big investment as I know it is a one time deal. But as for shows in general as my calender isn't full yet, I am well, on the fence still. It would just be nice to know if I am the only one - I kinda feel that I am not. - Michelle
  • amen to that Linda .
    I too, have been doing alot of smaller shows , that I typically haven't considered in the past , or going back to those I did, starting out .....and I've actually had sales equal to the bigger shows I have done this year .....and my profit line has been much more ....like you said - without all the expenses .
    And, being in MI. , most my shows here , are along the shores --so it's been like an added bonas .....what a pleasure to do these shows , with a beautiful view .
    Also, I find , I really like doing the smaller shows better ...for the reasons you stated .

    Before I spend money , on supplies ...booth size.....whatever ....I have to consider ,"do I really need this ?"
    "ok, you don't have the money to buy that (rather I really do or not ) ......NOW what are you going to do ?" it helps me become more creative , in " making do ."

    yep, this year , is " all about survival ! " (that is my THEME--the mantra bouncing around my brain everyday ).
  • Michelle, I think your question is a good one because we all need to hear what's the best investment for our buck? More material or more in the bank?
    I owe about $450 still to myself and my husband (art business was "loaned" money from us) and I am slowly paying that off. I want to commend you that in a stressful economy you are able to pay off your debt. That shows self-control and hard work. I suppose I think a canopy would be your primary investment right now (as you won't have to buy another one for a long, long time). The shows are the thing that you will have to wrestle with. I am doing a small end show in September (too hot here in Texas to do something in the summer) and then a high end show in October. I am not as busy as some artists yet I have three small children under 4 to raise. My policy has always been if I have to rely on sales (that aren't for sure) to pay off this debt than I better be really really sure I can at least make a profit (the way I know that is by the statistics of the past 09 shows). If I can't then don't do it. You can always do more shows when the economy gets better. A lot of my friends are using this year to MAKE more art instead of sell it. If that makes sense. I realize, if your like me, that you need to sell to make money but I also think this is not the time to pay high booth fee, high travel fee and hotel. The combination leaves little for profit. I say this as I was able to make about double my booth fee at the last two shows. If I had paid for travel + hotel I would have been in the red. Some of my booth mates around me traveled from Tennessee and out of state to do the shows and they really were in the red. Stay local and get your canopy. That's my two cents worth.
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