Tips for vendors
By Kyleah Boden
Buy Black NB has hosted a multitude of Vendor Markets that simultaneously build and celebrate various aspects of our community. Beginning from their first ever market on Juneteenth 2021, they’ve since hosted and collaborated on many other vendor gatherings celebrating National Black Business Month in August, Juneteenth, and winter holidays. The success of these markets has everything to do with the amazing business owners that choose to participate. We interviewed three dedicated business owners to hear their tips and thoughts (Cecelia from Cards by Cecelia, Sil and Elaine from For Our God Only, and Danielle from Queen’s Lane Collection).
Question 1: Do you have recommendations for how to get started as a vendor?
Cards By Cecelia: Start working on your inventory! I try to have ample stock on hand before the market season begins so that I’m only replenishing a few items week to week as opposed to creating large volumes in between markets. Always plan a season ahead. Very few markets are free and most have fees and an application or juried process. It is good to have a few quality photos of your product ready to submit for juried events, and make sure your website and social media sites are up to date and look their best as judges will look at these pages. Once accepted to markets, you will need to invest in a white canopy, weights, a 6-foot folding table, and a comfortable chair.
For Our God Only: In order to start vending it is important to reach out to organizations who either coordinate these events or can point you in the right direction.
Queen’s Lane Collection: If you are able to have a helper, bring a helper because you can get very overwhelmed when first starting out. You can get overwhelmed with loading and unloading and setting up and breaking down materials for the event. You can get overwhelmed with multiple customers at once. You can get overwhelmed with finding a product for customers. Always allow yourself more than enough time to arrive for setup. Even if you arrive early, that is one less thing to worry about.
A customer, Darlene Spencer, purchasing from For Our God Only the Buy Black NB Juneteenth 2022 Vendor Market.
Question 2: What is your go-to product for vending?
Queen’s Lane Collection: Queen’s Lane Collection offers all-natural and handmade personal care products. Our bestsellers are our body butters, hand butters, body oils, lip gloss, lip balms, lip scrubs, soaps, fragrance body oils and air freshener oils.
For Our God Only: Our go-to product is our T-shirts but our hats are requested just as much.
Question 3: What advice do you have what NOT to do?
Cards by Cecelia: Not having enough cash and a device to accept electronic payments (such as a Square) will result in missed sales. It’s good to have bills, in various amounts, to make change for your sales. Don’t pack what you can’t carry! A few plastic bins (and I use a laundry bag for my tablecloths and banner) are better than multiple small boxes to pack things in.
Queen’s Lane Collection: When vending at an event, it is important to be on time and prepared for the event. It is important to check all of your products, equipment and tools the night prior in order to be better prepared for the event and make sure you aren’t missing anything. It is also important not to get too distracted while vending.
Co-owner of Queen’s Lane Collection at the Buy Black NB Holiday Vendor Market 2022.
Question 4: How do you decide which markets to sign up for?
Cards by Cecelia: Visiting markets is a great way to see what vendors are selling, to talk to vendors, to see what the volume of foot traffic is like, and to get a sense of the culture and vibe of the market. I find that vendors are a very friendly community and are willing to share their experiences. Get out of your comfort zone! After you get experience with some local markets, try exploring markets in other regions or larger cities like Boston and Providence.
For Our God Only: It is so important to do your research and participate in those vendor markets that are advertised and have a success rate. That will ensure that you will have visibility and the opportunity to showcase your business.
We’re so grateful for the wonderful vendors who help to make our markets special. Be sure to check them out and others at our Juneteenth Market on Saturday, June 17th at the Rotch Jones Duff House and follow Buy Black NB on social media and via our newsletter to stay in the loop!
Cecelia Porche in August of 2021 at the Buy Black NB Vendor Market.
