If you're here, it's because you're just as intrigued by behind-the-scenes stories as we are! So, grab your favorite drink, and let us take you on a journey through our very first pop-up market experience.
Before we dive in, allow us to introduce ourselves. We're Zoe (on the left) and Cynthia (on the right), founders of Daily Daisy Soap Co. We're not just sisters but also business partners on a mission to help you achieve radiant, healthy skin. In a future blog post, we'll delve deeper into our story and how we run our business together. If that's something you'd like to read, let us know by commenting "I want more behind-the-scenes!" below!!
Now, let's get into the nitty gritty of our first market adventure!
Phase 1: Applying for Markets
We officially launched our Instagram in August 2023 and our website shortly after. To be honest, we were nervous as we started from scratch. As a brand-new small business, only our parents and close friends knew about us. But we wanted to treat it as a real business, not just a hobby. Here were some of our short-term goals:
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Getting Our Name Out There: We knew that the most efficient way to achieve this was by participating in markets. So, we extensively researched and selected markets that aligned with our target audience.
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Establishing Our Brand: Building our brand identity, defining our unique selling points, and conveying a message beyond just soap were top priorities. It's still a work in progress, but the response to our colorful, fun brand, and products has been so great!!
- Prioritizing Profitability: We had numerous ideas, including candles, skincare products, and even makeup. But not all ideas pay the bills...So we had to focus on running a profitable business.
In selecting the right markets, we assessed their social media presence and attended some of them in person to evaluate the vibe of the market, foot traffic, and customer demographics. Long story short, we applied for a few that we felt most aligned and the Cuties Market located in Calgary was the first one that we got accepted!
Phase 2: Preparing for the Market
Being our first time at the market, we had a very unique challenge: figuring out just how many soaps to prepare. What made it even more interesting was the fact that each soap bar needed 4-6 weeks to reach perfection, making timing a bit tricky. But we did our best to stock up as many as we could 6 weeks prior!!
But it wasn't just about the soaps; we also put a lot of thought to our booth setup. We got our folding table at Walmart, hunted down some décor items at Dollarama, and painting our Ikea shelving units white and pink to match our branding.
But the real stars of the show? Those coasters we splurged on from Anthropologie. They may have cost a bit more, but boy, did they add a touch of elegance and charm to our booth and products! Sometimes, it's the little things that make all the difference, right?
Phase 3: Market Day
The market was scheduled from 1-7 pm, and we arrived at around 11:30 am to set up. It took us about 30-40 minutes to get everything ready, and then the market began! Our first sale came about half an hour later and things picked up quickly. By the end, we were exhausted but oh so happy!!
Here's what we learned:
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What people love: Some of our best sellers: Andy (currently sold out - we will restock soon!), London Fog, and Ariel!
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Connecting with customers: Even with a sales background, selling in person can be intimidating. This experience helped us understand our customers better, their needs, and their questions.
- Pricing Strategy: We're still refining our pricing strategy to ensure it covers expenses and allows us to pay ourselves fairly! We offered BUY2GET 1 during this market - we will never do this again! 😂 If you want to make sure you're getting the BEST deal and pricing, purchasing through our website is THE way to go!
In total, we sold almost 80 soaps, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome!! We're excited about future markets and creating more content to share with all of you!
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