Case Study 003

sometimes you don't always hit your sales goals ( and that's okay )

Thank you for joining me here on my series: Case Study. We’re going to dive into the details of recent pop-up markets and events - talk numbers, and learn the ins and outs of running a small business. My hope is that over time, we can learn together what makes an event a success - learn from mistakes, see what works, or what needs adjusting down the road.

This series lives behind a paywall for a few reasons: a ) I spend hours collecting data and presenting it in a digestible and informative way and b ) Pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to do a market or event is extremely valuable for those wanting to see real numbers and gain insider knowledge in an accessible way. Your paid subscription helps subsidize these costs, and honors my time and expertise. I greatly appreciate your support!

Not every market is going to meet your definition of Success. Sometimes the turnout is low, sometimes you don’t sell a lot ( or even enough to cover your expenses ) - sometimes a lot of things just go wrong that are out of your control - but there is always something to be learned, always a takeaway - and for those who seek to see the positive - always a silver lining ( or two! ).

I chose to try a new to me market Portland Bazaar in April - due to a few key reasons ( it’s always important to have your why for doing a market ). Renegade had shifted their 2025 schedule leaving me with a big gap in my schedule between March ( Renegade SF ) and June ( Renegade Seattle ). I wanted to find another two-day market in the interim, and Portland Bazaar fit the bill perfectly - landing in mid-April.