So the Craft Fair was a great success!

As we drove to the craft fair, I talked with my daughter about how we greet our customers (potential buyers).  We look the customer in the eye, smile, and perhaps open a conversation with a question:  “Are you looking for something particular today?”  “How can I help you?”  “Do you have any little girls in your life that would enjoy a rainbow loom bracelet?”  And so on.

After that quick discussion on handling your customer, we arrived at the craft fair.  Focused (and yet trying to hide her excitement and act “grown-up” as though she’s done this all her life), my daughter pulled out her gingham table cloth and began setting up her inventory.  I started to help her lay out her bracelets and stationery when I was sweetly told, “Mom, I can do this.  Let me do it.”  Happily, I retreated and allowed her the joy of “setting up shop!”  Nothing can replace that feeling of independence and confidence, the joy of investing in something all your own, except when YOU are doing the work and doing it well.  And naturally, this was the whole point!

Long story short, after 4 hours she had sold quite a bit of her inventory.  There was one hour left of the craft show, and many people were beginning to discount their items to clear out their inventory.  I suggested to my daughter that she take her last few things, walk around to other booths and try to sell or trade them out.  At first she was reluctant.  She shook her head no.  “Ok, that’s fine.  It’s just more money you could have in your pocket but it’s totally your own choice.”  (Ahhh the good ‘ole “take away”…a parental-strategy-must-have and a late “sales’ lesson for next year.)  I could see the wheels turning and without a word or an expression, she picked up her last few bracelets and strode around the room trying to sell!

A few minutes later, she had sold 3 more bracelets – at a discount – and added $6 more towards her bottom line.  A fine lesson to end the day!

All in all – she had made enough money to pay back her investor (her mom) the $75 she owed.  And happily she walked away with $47 in her little, pink purse.  Shoulders high, a confident gait, and her heavy purse on her arm (that $47 was all in 1’s) her lesson was complete!