World Domination

Friday brought me one step closer to world domination. Maybe just a very very very small step, but a step closer nontheless. I found out on Friday that I was accepted into one of the city's local farmers markets.

For those not in the Pacific Northwest you may be somewhat confused. As best as I can explain it, farmers markets here have what is essentially a cult-like following by essentially everyone in the Pacific Northwest. I can't explain it any better. Almost everyone I know not only loves going to the farmers market but also really does 95% of their fruit/veggie/pasta/cheese/bread/fish/organic meats/jams/honey/other artisan goods shopping there. The farmers markets to us are not something you simply go to because it's a novelty and it brings you a step closer to a more rural way of living. It is our way of living and I wonder if they may just take away your drivers license if you refused to go. So pervasive is this thinking that many people - myself included - are part of a CSA (cooperative farming) that delivers a basket of fresh fruits and veggies to several select areas in the city throughout the week and then we ALSO visit the farmers market on top of that. Really the only time we go to the regular grocery store during the summer is to pick up staples like flour and sugar.

So now perhaps you can see why I'm so excited about getting into the market. This market had the option of applying to be an exhibitor every week or simply signing up for five markets (1 a month May - Sept). Not knowing how well my type of product might be received in a farmers market environment, I signed up for the later and should find out shortly which five markets I'll be part of.

I'm really excited. Before I sent in my application I had come up with several ideas that should be better suited for the farmers market then my traditional products and I think the price points I'm thinking about should work well for both the farmers market and given the state of the economy. In talking with a friend yesterday she mentioned that she has a 10x10 tent canopy which I need for the market that she's more than happy to let me borrow and may even have a chalkboard I can borrow to use as additional signage. If both of those things pan out then there's only a handful of small items I might need to buy to help supplement the booth but it shouldn't be more than $50.

My little hope out of all of this is that I make a little bit of money, sell some product, introduce more folks to my brand, and have fun. My big hope is that I make enough money to pay for (or at least help pay for) my summer fixed expenses. Summer is typically when I have to start dipping into the business savings in advance of the busy Fall season. If I can make enough at the markets to cover my workspace during those months that will go a long ways towards helping me out cashflow-wise come fall.