One of the best things about doing the same craft show every year is seeing repeat customers. Even those who visit every year but don’t buy anything become familiar and are worthy of a Hello! Good to see you again!
Robert and his friend have been repeat visitors and buyers at my booth at the Chateau St. Croix festivals (spring show and fall show) for several years. They love my candles and bought some every time they stop by. A couple of shows ago Robert said he was looking for a chocolate candle like the one he bought the previous year. He ranted and raved about how it made his bathroom smell like a candy store. I was sorry to tell him I stopped making chocolate-scented candles. People loved the scent, but would usually just comment instead of buy. “Ooh, that smells wonderful! But if I burn it I’ll just get hungry.” Robert was sad to hear of the discontinuation and settled for another fragrance.
During the down season, between January and May, I received a small complimentary sample of fragrance oil with an order I placed with my supplier. The fragrance? Fudge Brownie.
Of course I thought about Robert right away. The sample bottle of fragrance oil was enough to scent only two candles. I decided I’d make them up and when I returned to The Chateau I’d keep them behind the display and pull them out as a surprise for Robert.
Fall, 2011 ~ no Robert.
Spring, 2012 ~ no Robert.
Where are you Robert? I have the candles of your dreams!
With the disappearance of Robert I have to grapple with the decision of whether or not to try to sell these two chocolate-scented candles at my upcoming shows. What do you think? Hang onto the candles until the Fall Festival at the Chateau St. Croix with the hope that Robert not only shows up but actually buys the candles? Or take them along with me to the Olde Ellison Bay Days show next week with hopes to entice another chocolate candle lover?
What would you do?
Strange how you can take inventory after spending an entire winter creating product and still feel like there isn’t enough to take to the craft show. Of course that’s a complete fallacy ~ the anxiety comes with the question have I made enough of the product people will love and buy?
Now it’s pushing midnight. I think I have everything ready. I have to get up at 5:30 tomorrow so there will be no time to second guess myself. Right now I’m ready to collapse. But with my exhaustion comes an anticipation I haven’t felt for a while. Time to welcome new and return customers and say hello again to the craft show friends I see only when I’m on the road. Show season is here with all its challenges and rewards.
Auntie B's Wax 