My First Pop-Up Shop

Spend it all at the Pop-Up!

Oh and my big surprise!<3

What is a pop-up shop and why did I feel the need to have one?

A pop-up shop is when you set-up a store to sell your merchandise at a temporary location for a limited time. It's a way of expanding your brand's network and experience by collaborating with other, sometimes more popular, brands.  

I was initially sought out through Instagram, the owner of B.Resale saw a pair of pants I created out of a t-shirt and messaged me to see if I would be interested in selling my things at her store. I then checked out the location, spoke with a few employees and decided I liked the vibe and I would do my very first pop-up there.

I've done pop-ups before but never for myself and never in an actual store. I would work for my aunt's brand @naturessyrup at special holiday pop-ups that featured several other small businesses but at B. Resale, I would be doing my own thing.

Where was your pop-up?

B. Resale, it's a resale shop that buys, sells and trades gently used clothing. It's located near the uptown area.

How did you prepare? Play by Play?

First I decided what my inventory needed to be and some of the things I considered were:

1. What can I make that doesn't require a lot of time and money because, considering the target market a.k.a the B. Resale customer, my price point would have to match what the people who shop resale can afford. So I decided to make scarves, hats, long t-shirt dresses and a few more items.  

2. I went back to the store to figure out how I was going to set-up the R8ted Fashion experience. Basically I analyzed the space and made note of outlets, tables sizes, etc. so I would be prepared.

3. I built a backdrop for photos.(my lovely aunt volunteered to take pictures during the event.

4. I finished my inventory and created a pricing chart.

5. The night before I loaded my car with everything I needed.

6. I went to the store 2 hours early to set up the backdrop.( I'm so glad I did because it gave me so many problems and took an hour to fix.)

What did I learn from this experience?

This is event was definitely a success, I ended up making in three hours what I would have made in two days at work which is bittersweet because it makes me think why am I even working my inconvenient job but it's so sweet because I got a taste of success. This experience was amazing and I am so grateful for the space that B. Resale allowed me to use. It was a great first pop-up and I look forward to bigger and better ones. 

On another note, some things I would have done differently...

Numero(spanish for Number)...

1. Count my merchandise. I knew how much merchandise I wanted to have at the show but I just started to make things and forgot about counting it again on the big day. So people would purchase things and I had no idea what I actually sold, even though I totally don't think the staff at B. Resale would try to get over on me, I know that in the real world of business that was a Big NO NO. It's important to count your inventory and then add up your potential profit and then to count again at the end of your event so you can make sure all the numbers add up.

2. I would have made a short video of the creative aspect of my pop-up because only a few people understood that there was customization going on.

3. I would have definitely done more marketing. I did a few last minute things but there were definitely a few groups I could have reached out to for more foot traffic and customers.

4. Again, I loved B.Resale but I would have planned to have my shop somewhere where I could take more of the profit(like a free studio or somewhere where I pay a flat rate) they have a 30/70 split, they take 30 percent of what you make and you take the leftover 70%. Which would be great if I had merchandise that wasn't custom. It unexpectedly took me a LOOOONNGGG time to make the garments, art and etc. that I chose to sell, so to a starving artist that 30% could've been golden. and that's not saying anything negative towards B. Resale because If I was selling products were being manufactured for the low then the split would be wellll worth it.  

5. Also to piggyback off the above another thing that I noticed is that they were my clients who came to support me so I didn't really gain any new customers. I did meet another great artist which was awesome so thats great for my network.

I can't think of anything else right now but I hope you learn something from my experience

Check out pictures and videos below from the event.(navigate the slide show by clicking, swiping or using arrow keys)

My family surprised me by coming to Minnesota for my pop-up shop weekend. I knew a surprise was going to take place but I didn't know it would be my entire family!!! 

Side note: I've lived back and forth between Minnesota and Illinois  since I was a child and this side of my family has always dropped me off but never stayed to actually visit so this was a dream!

That's all folks!

Peace and R8tings,

Bird