Vending Experiences Thus Far

Steampunk Worlds Fair - May 18-20
-Tons of fun, pleasently surprised with sales volume, met some great new customers & fellow vendors, got an idea for table setup, learned not to forget the tent on 80 degree+ days.

Lansdowne Farmers Market - Opening day May 26
-Remembered the tent for the 89 degree day!, got more stylized with my table setup, learned I needed a nice big banner to attach to the back of my tent, very happy with sales volume, and met more great local customers and fellow vendors.

Photos will be added on myFacebook Page.
Check them out, and be sure to Like Akima Botanicals while you're there!

GREEN TIP: Keep those bedding bags!

If you've ever bought sheets, pillow cases, slipcovers, etc. you know the protective plastic bags they come in, the ones with the zipper top.  These are great to keep and have 101 uses (or more)!  I use them when I pack toiletries for travelling.  I also use them to store the oils I use for my bath and body product.  So remember, don't throw them away!

As you can see from the picture, I also like to keep small gift bags to use when travelling or vending.  They are just the right size for little things like toiletries, office supplies, notebooks, etc.  Reuse, reduce, recycle!!!

Staples Easy Rebates

Have you heard of Staples Easy Rebates??  I design and print my own labels & business cards, and I often use Avery brand labels.  While looking for some online, I came across Staples and their rebate system.  It is so eacy because you can search for rebates by brand, keyword, or product type.  Then just look for the product in store or online, buy, and get a rebate print out with your receipt.  You can enter the rebate online or mail it in.

Many times you can get multiples of your rebate product (check the fine print).  I bought 2 packs of round Kraft labels and got HALF OFF each (reg price $15.00 with $7.50 rebate).  What a bargain!  I entered my rebate information online and received my check promptly. 

BUSINESS TIP: Cheap and Easy Shopping Bags

If you have relatively small products, use brown paper lunch bags as shopping bags when vending. They are very inexpensive & widely available. I bought round Kraft labels from Staples (with a rebate!) and designed & printed custom labels for them. The bags are reusable, recyclable, and sometimes made from recycled materials themselves.

Steampunk World's Fair

I will be vending this weekend at the Steampunk Worlds Fair!  I'll be sharing a table with my very talented friend Josie of Persephone's Jewels.  She creates gothic, neo-victorian, and steampunk jewelry & accessories that are just lovely! 

ANNOUNCEMENT!!  I will be selling 3 new lip balm flavors not available anywhere else: Chocolate Cherry, All Natural Cocoa Butter, and Chocolate Orange.  These are not yet available on Etsy, so grab them up quick!  I may also unveil a special Room Spray & Body Spritz...

Tickets for the fair are still available!  It is being held this Fri 5/18 - Sun 5/20 at The Radisson of Piscataway, 21 Kingsbridge Road, Piscataway NJ 08854 and The Embassy Suites of Piscataway, 121 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States 08854.  The hotels are separated basically by a parking lot, and are a two minute walk from each other. There will be major events in both hotels: both hotels are a “main” hotel this year!

Be sure to stop by and see me!!

Farmers Market Season

I will be a biweekly vendor at the 2012 Lansdowne Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday at the Lansdowne Ave. Parking Lot from 9:00 - 1:00 May 26 through October 27, rain or shine!   I am so very excited to be a part of this very popular local market!  I will also be a part of a couple of special markets outside the usual May - October run. 

These are the dates I will be present at the market:

May 26 (Opening Day!)

June 9, 23

July 14, 28

August 11, 25

September 8, 22, 29

October 13, 27
                                            November 17

I look forward to meeting local customers and making lots of new friends that value local, small indie businesses and the quality product they have to offer their community.  Visit my Etsy shop (on the right sidebar) to view just some of the items I will be selling.

Zoning & Permit Woes

I'm having quite the time in my attempts to get my business permit through my township.  I was denied on the assumed basis that my manufacturing processes would create excess "noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference; added traffic or solid waste greater than the use for residential purposes".  Clearly, and without investigating BEFORE denying my application, my local L&I does not know the meaning of all-natural and hand-crafted.  After explaining to the L&I director that my manufacturing processes produce none of the above, he stated that it was not up to him to decided if my manufacturing produces said excess or not.  It would be up to the zoning board to decided, and for me to get to that point I would have to fill out an application for a zoning variance, which includes a $700 non-refundable application fee with no guarantee of approval.  After posting about my frustrations on Etsy the thread has become 13 pages long: VIEW IT HERE 

I was lucky to catch the eye of a fellow Etsian and writer for The Daily Dot internet newspaper.  She was kind enough to email me for more info on the situation, and even contact my local L&I department.  She then published THIS ARTICLE on April 13.

I have since written letters to my district's councilman, the mayor, the committee chairperson for zoning and business, and my state representative, who has her office 1 mile from my home.  I've met all of them at local town hall meetings, and at the bar/restaurant where I work part time.  I heard back from the mayor yesterday that he would look into this and call me.  I'm hoping with fingers crossed that I may continue to do business in my town, and not be punished by trying to do the right thing.  Wish me luck!