Our high-end shopping mall is having a Farmer's Market. The Market actually started the 10th of this month. I contacted the person in charge last week about being their bakery vendor. He said they were still looking for someone to fill this spot.

I really attempted to sell myself.

I brought up how cupcakes are really trendy now. How I would have a very attractive, decorated booth. Everything would be prepackaged with all the info needed per the Board of Health. I even started a website that showcases items I will be offering and info on the Farmer's Markets I will be working and dates I will be there(I am already signed up for another on another day of the week).

Well our last email was on the 18th in which he said "Ill be back in touch with you soon"

I really want this. When do you think would be the appropriate time to contact him again? How long should I wait? What should I say?

I am afraid of coming off too pestering or be judged on my lack of business smarts I guess.

Any input would be great.

I think it would be a good time to reply now. He's had the weekend and two business days to think it over and consult whoever needs to be consulted, now you need to remind him that you're still interested and not a flake! Its not pushy, you are just ambitious and determined

That sounds like a great opportunity. I would call him and tell him you are just "following up" and how you think this is going to benefit the both of you.

Good luck!

Can you find his office and take a bunch of cupcakes to the office and say that you just wanted to send over a sample?

Farmer's Markets are all about the " local". If you really want to shine, send him a proposal that shows how you use local buttermilk and eggs, and your strawberry shortcake cupcakes are made with berries from right down the road. Highlight Farmer's market- type homey products like Zucchini bread ( local squash) and scones. ( Breakfasty bits sell like crazy at our farmers market...be aware of the dangers of icing in the hot sun before you go all cupcake-y)

Be different. Highlight you eco-friendly packcaging. Offer vegan and/or gluten free products. Drop off a basket at his office with a 2 to 3 page marketing package. Include samples.. and don't be afraid to ask " Is there something I could do to get this spot?"

ABSOLUTELY go in person with samples. Everyone is your friend when you bring samples.

Definitely go w/samples! At my day job we have a no solicitors/peddlers. Well, Jimmy John's came once - didn't do a sales pitch or anything - just asked how many people we have in the office and left a quarter sandwich for everyone. We LOVE Jimmy John's so it was great!

Well the director called me today and said he approved me! He sent me all the information and paperwork via email.

$250 a day! (one day a week)

Holy smokes!

That is a scary number for a Farmer's Market. The other one I am signed up for is only $20 a day, lol.

Just some random thinking....

The venue is in an area with the highest income of the city (around 250,000 population). It is an open air shopping mall and the parking lots are filled to the max in the summers.

I generically calculated all my overhead minus ingredients. I came up with an amount of $164 a day at each location all season to cover rent, packaging, decor, etc. My goal is to make $200 a day at each location (averaged between the two/ $400 a week). Add in a rough guess of 30% for ingredients.

So my guesstimate is that I will have to sell $475 worth of goods each day to reach my profit goal.

Thoughts?

Doable?

Please help!

Geez I really messed this one up, lol. But, hey I've been up since three this morning with stomach pains that STILL haven't gone away.

The $250 is for the entire season.



I am so happy to be getting into this spot!

[quote="maryjsgirl"]
The $250 is for the entire season.

quote]

Oh good! I thought you meant it was $250 a day. I was like that must be an uppity spot. And you are going to have to sell tons and tons of stuff to make any profit. And entire season is much more do-able.

I'm so glad that you got the spot! Go sell all your goodies!!

Fort Wayne at Jefferson Pointe.

Great! I think my niece's fiancee's mom lives in the Fort Wayne area so I'll be sure to let her know. Sometimes my niece and my sister go up there so I'll tell them as well.

Best of luck - sounds like fun!

I mean baked goods really sell well at Farmer's Markets--you should be able to hit that but wow lotta dishes to wash (etc.) huh.

I 'bout fell outa my chair when you said $250--till you said it was for the season.

Congrats! Hope you do well!

That's sooo awesome!!! Best wishes!