I have a problem/concern that I thought I could get feedback from you guys (such wonderful advice given in so many other areas!)
Sorry if this is long, I'll try to keep it short. I recently created at business doing cakes and also other desserts like chocolate covered items/treats. To help promote my new business, I participate as a vendor in a bi-weekly Quarter Mania (not sure if anyone outside my area has heard of that). Anyway, it's just an event where a bunch of vendors get together and basically raffle off baskets of their product to the public. It is a great way to get business and spread the word, at the same time as earning some extra cash. At each event, I auction 5 baskets which include a fully decorated 8 cake and a bunch of the chocolate covered items. I also have a table in which I sell all the chocolate covered items.
Anyway, I've been doing this event once a month for a while. Now another vendor - who sells the same stuff that I do (just the chocolate covered items, not the cakes) has caused a stir because she wants to be a vendor on the same night that I am a vendor. The woman who runs the QM is a good friend of mine. Her partner (who is friends with the new vendor) is arguing that the new vendor and I should auction our baskets off on the same night.
Bottom line, I dont think it makes any business sense for me to continue doing the QMs. Why would I want to sell the same product as another vendor - we would BOTH lose money on the night, and as you all know, preparing for these kinds of things are costly and very time consuming. I dont feel it is worth my time or energy to participate when I am not going to get a return on it.
My friend is now angry with me because she is losing a vendor in addition to the people I would bring to the event (which ultimately earns her money). Am I just being petty by pulling out? I dont feel that I am and that I am making a business decision, but Im not sure. Any advice, suggestions would be great.
(again, sorry for it being long)
Sorry if this is long, I'll try to keep it short. I recently created at business doing cakes and also other desserts like chocolate covered items/treats. To help promote my new business, I participate as a vendor in a bi-weekly Quarter Mania (not sure if anyone outside my area has heard of that). Anyway, it's just an event where a bunch of vendors get together and basically raffle off baskets of their product to the public. It is a great way to get business and spread the word, at the same time as earning some extra cash. At each event, I auction 5 baskets which include a fully decorated 8 cake and a bunch of the chocolate covered items. I also have a table in which I sell all the chocolate covered items.
Anyway, I've been doing this event once a month for a while. Now another vendor - who sells the same stuff that I do (just the chocolate covered items, not the cakes) has caused a stir because she wants to be a vendor on the same night that I am a vendor. The woman who runs the QM is a good friend of mine. Her partner (who is friends with the new vendor) is arguing that the new vendor and I should auction our baskets off on the same night.
Bottom line, I dont think it makes any business sense for me to continue doing the QMs. Why would I want to sell the same product as another vendor - we would BOTH lose money on the night, and as you all know, preparing for these kinds of things are costly and very time consuming. I dont feel it is worth my time or energy to participate when I am not going to get a return on it.
My friend is now angry with me because she is losing a vendor in addition to the people I would bring to the event (which ultimately earns her money). Am I just being petty by pulling out? I dont feel that I am and that I am making a business decision, but Im not sure. Any advice, suggestions would be great.
(again, sorry for it being long)
