there is a bridal show coming up next month. to get in as a vendor, there are several different packages available that include a tv commercial spot, an ad in the newspaper, 'sponsered by...' type advertising, and huge 20x10ft booths.

the smallest booth is 8x6ft for $400 and no extra ads(tv,newspaper) .
i was trying to visualize what i could do with that space, considering that the table will take up most of the space, AND on the table i need to put dummy cakes, info sheets, and cakes to sample (pre-cut sheet cakes in 2 flavors).

my husband is convinced we should be in it. if i get 2 small wedding cakes booked, that will cover the entry fee. there is alot of money involved in booth decoration, sample tasting cakes, dummy cakes, signs, business cards, and info sheets, but im sure another small cake or 2 will pay that back. so i would need more than 4 cakes, or i'd only break even....

so... i'm nervous, of course. ive been to a show as a helper when i worked for a different bakery. but this would be the first time i'm putting MY business 'out there'.

i figure you guys would be the best for advice.
so either talk me into it or out of it, quick!
LOL

If you are licienced I'd say yes but if not you could be asking for trouble if your area has any restrictions. But its up to you to make that choice. Some areas require you to be licienced before you can have any kind of advertising.

oops...
i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.
i have years of experience, but very new at being an actual business.

oops...
i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.
i have years of experience, but very new at being an actual business.

oops...
i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.
i have years of experience, but still very new at being an actual business.

oops!
i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.
i have years of experience, but still very new at being an actual business.

i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.

i have years of experience, but still very new at being an actual business.

i forgot to mention that YES i am licensed.

i have years of experience, but i'm still very new at being an actual business.

I would do it. Also, bring a dummy of that beautiful chocolate and pink wedding cake in your photos. That is lovely!

Please post more of your photos. Your work it great. I would love to see more.

Its good exposure. I just started in Feb 06 and doing my first show in Feb and I,m excited about it.
I am make 6 dummies for display. I know its lots of $$ but hoping to get business from it. From what I'v read here on other threads everyone that has done a show it has been secessful for them. Got to spend money to make money easy to say hard to do. Good luck if you decide.

I am also fairly new in the official business end of things. I was in a show in December--very small show, and it was a learning experience. It only cost me $40, so I figured it was worth a shot. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I had a nice looking display, but was unprepared for the questions people were asking me.

When I got home, I sat down with a notebook and took several pages of notes. Some were things that bombed, some were things other vendors did, some were things I would like to try for next time.

I was in a bigger show 2 weeks ago, and took my notes from the Dec show and changed a lot of things. I have 5 cakes booked compared to none from the first one. Talk about making my changes count!

I typed out my notes in Works and will pm them to you, as they got very lengthy. Some are common sense things, and others only experience can teach you. Hopefully you can take something and use it to your advantage.

If anyone else would like to see my notes, feel free to ask. I have gotten lots of help from this site, and would love it if I could help someone back. That's what we're all here for.

Whyteicing--Go for it! And lots of luck!

elvisb- I would love to get your notes if you wouldn't mind, just pm them to me.
Thanks a ton!
meggylou

Hi everyone!

I didn't realize my notes would be so popular! With all the problems the site has been having lately, I am having some issues getting pm's to send or even come up. I also got an email that I have pm's waiting, and when I go the pm page, they are not there. I don't want to miss anyone who would like a copy, so if you have put in a request and I haven't pm'd you yet (even if you are just reading this and would like a copy) you may send me an regular email and I will gladly get a copy to you.

Michelle
[email protected]