This is what my business has evolved to. I’m in a shop in town but I put things in my side yard and people are now coming to my house to shop and buy things. Also, asking me to look for things for them. Kind of like a personal shopper but it has paid off in that I have created relationships with people.
Hi Melany! I think this is hands down THE BEST CZcams video I’ve ever watched. I recently became a booth owner and finding your channel has been so refreshing and encouraging at so many levels. I appreciate you sharing all the wisdom acquired throughout your many years running your business and I look forward to you uploading more videos like this! 💕👌🏼🙌🏼
Well Daniela, that makes me smile so big! I’m SO glad it was helpful! I really do love passing on what I’ve learned and it’s even better when I hear it’s helping someone else. There’s lots more to come!
I TOTALLY agree with you about the FB Maketplace. That’s one reason I got off Etsy - hey where did you get that cool thing - on Etsy. The brand is Etsy not MY business. Thanks for the info!!!!!
Great insight Melanie. After listening to your talk, I think my wife and I are in a third category. As Boomers, we have our own collections that we need to sell, and we also have our parents treasures that we need to sell, actually uploading our collections. We rented a booth at a local mall and kept our prices low on many items, until I saw my LP Vinyl collection become a hot item. What do you think of our delima?
You just validated for me that I need to step up my game!!! Great information and so needed at this point of my resellers journey. You are a true GODDESS!! ❤
Would also like information on the different on- line avenues and how to know if that is a good option or not for my business ( what should I be considering?) How do you determine postage? How do you know if eBay,whatnot, or Poshmark,etc. Are the places to market? Thank you
Thank you so much! This information was exactly what I was looking for! I have adored thrifting and finding the coolest stuff. I had no idea that I could make money at it. However, you are such a precious gift, to share your knowledge and allow us to learn through you! Thank you so much! I adore you!
I can see why there was a lively discussion on this topic because I think the answer depends a lot on where your booth is located and the clientele it attracts. My booth is in an affordable mall that attracts bargain hunters. I don't get the highest prices, but I also pay about half the rent of the better malls. Bargain hunters don't always stop in super decorated, curated booths because they assume that items are going to be priced high.
Great tutorial. Clear and concise. I am sharing this on my Dealing on the River Facebook page. Thank you. New subscriber. Looking forward to other posts.
I so appreciate your knowledge and wisdom. I am trying and it wasn’t getting me anywhere! Now I know why! I want to build a brand and do all of the things you said, but didn’t know how. Thank you!
Thank you for being there for a newbie to Antique Mall booth and building a business not just selling Stuff! I have an idea I want to explore and this video gave me the motivation I needed to look at this booth as a way to brand my Business! Cositas Antigua is coming into reality! More to be revealed!
You are SO right! I had a brick and mortar for 3 years and the profits looked amazing until I punched the numbers. What a disappointment. I downsized into a booth at a local crafters/antique location and am so glad I did. The dream is still alive just without the headaches. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for this inspirational and business-minded video - really needed this to lift my spirits today. I appreciate that you share your talent and mind. Again - thank you!
Thank you for this video. This is all of the things that run through my head and I try to explain to my fiance. I would like to learn how to find all of these numbers, so I can figure this out. I know it would help me so much. Thank you for taking time to make this video.
I read the exact post you are talking about. He did sound grumpy. A lot of people on that page seem like they are miserable. I wonder why they are in the business.
Well, that’s social media though a lot, right? Seems like a place to go and air grievances 😂 Which I will confess, I’ve done myself a time or two as well!
Hello Melany. Thank you for this video. I have been dabbling as it seems for a number of years. Living in a rural area with no antique shops around it’s been pretty rough. I sale on market place, word of mouth and a rare market. We put up a building which I hope to have a area there to sale. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Amen sister, moved to a remote area a year ago. We have a few good markets in Spring & Summer. Talked about putting up a Old Hickory shed/workplace in the future also. Melanie has great points to think about and implement. Thankful that I found her, enjoy your dabbing!
You have shared some very valuable information and I thank you so much. I am just getting started, and although it is a hobby for me, I still want to make it profitable!
Excellent advice, not sure why more boothers don't talk about this! I did a video on shop booth math which was kind of mess because there's not much solid info out there. So glad I found your channel!
Thank you for the video and sound advice! Very helpful.. I’m tuning in and listening all the time. I have a small booth business and I now realize I need to keep better records (which I don’t like after being in bookkeeping for years! :) but I really do need to see my profit. Thank you!
I know… it’s the part of business nobody really likes! But it will help you so much to get a good handle on your numbers. Glad the video was helpful, thanks for watching!
Today is the first time I've watched any of your videos and you do an excellent job explaining the realities of selling items and what it actually entails. I have been selling from a space at a vintage, antique, handmade....store for several years. I'm retired and I wasn't looking for a huge income but a little would be nice. I calculate what I take in and expenses almost identical to how you explained it. Very seldom do I make any money to speak of but to the owner it appears that I do quite well. I work so hard to find things and make things that people like. My inventory numbers/codes are key to what I read as what buyers want. Often they are dismissed and just a random description is written down with the price. If it's something for $7.00, I have many things for $7 and it's not helpful to just have "glassware" written down. How do you keep track of what specific items are sold in your space? One thing you didn't mention in expenses was mileage and displays. They count up quickly. Thank you so much for affirming my way of thinking about how much I make.
It can be super hard to keep good track of your numbers if your mall doesn’t enter descriptive enough tags, or item numbers. If you are getting pushback from your mall, maybe you can switch up your tags a bit- say give each item a specific number, but very general description (like glassware), and ask your mall to please JUST enter the item #. That makes it really easy for them, less typing! And then when you get your report, you can match the item number with your specific inventory report? It sounds like you are already doing something like that, it may though mean a convo with the mall owner just clarifying your needs. Just an idea. But I get the struggle. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can do! You can also try and get an idea of your average profit margin. Item to item it will vary, but let’s say on average you get a 75% profit margin on your products. You can use that average each month to calculate your overall actual profit from that months sales, and you don’t need specific item costs to do it. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough and can still provide good info for you as you evaluate how well you’re doing
Just my two cents... I started in my own store, closed it because I wanted to move. Started selling in antique booths. Did well, had great spaces in great locations. I also started selling on marketplace. The money I made from that bought me a shed, then I out grew that and went to a warehouse, then got a bigger warehouse. I had to reevaluate how my booth was doing and found that it just wasn't a profitable venture for me and I wasn't getting my name out there. I solely sell on marketplace and warehouse sales once a quarter. I brand all of my photos, and also put my business links on my listing. This has driven my business so much. I have a wonderful customs business as well as selling found pieces and decor. I have a following and a repeat customer base. In my case, there are no stores nearby that I fit in, so it works for me. The key to selling anywhere is advertising YOUR business and treating it as a business. Look closely at your numbers...that's where it's at. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there!!! Thanks for all the great advice.
Congratulations on your success! It sounds like you are taking the steps to build your brand and connect with customers, which is the way to build a long term, growing business :)
I love your channel. I’m also horrible at numbers. Do you keep track of all expenses as well as sales? Do you have/use a spreadsheet or how do you keep track of your sales?
I try to keep it simple :) I have a paper inventory log-just notebook where I keep records of what my items cost and what I have them listed for-then I keep receipts and once a month enter them into an excel spreadsheet. I also enter my sales each month there too :)
I have handed out cards and connected with clients via Marketplace. I have offered commission pieces and done a lot of the things suggested in your video it doesn’t work. I rent a booth and this is coming into my third month where I have to make up the rent money. It’s frustrating to say the least. I also up cycle furniture and that is also hard to sell.
Hi Rachel! I’m sorry to hear your booth is struggling… it’s a common experience for many and I know can be disheartening. So much goes into why a possible space is working out-is it the wrong location? Maybe you’re not in front of the right clientele? Maybe it’s pricing? Branding? Or just not having the right or large enough client base yet? There’s lots of booth videos on my channel that talk through some of those other issues and could perhaps help you troubleshoot why you’re space isn’t performing how you want.
Yes, a 50% markup is not ideal! I just tossed it out there as an example, many first time booth sellers I talk with expect to price their items for double the cost. I highly encourage to at least price 3x’a for a healthy markup, 4 is even better. Glad you can get those margins in your space-great job!
Melany, videos are great, I learn so much from them. Since Christmas is on the way I am trying to fit another shelving unit into my space. Our Mall lets us use whatever units they have that they are not planning on using in new booths. I want this unit to contain all the Christmas stuff I have accumulated over the past month or so. It will also include lights to draw the eye hopefully. I am trying to pick up my game. Also my mall management, clerks and workers are always pointing out to me things that I have sold that have repeat customers who come in regularly looking for specifics like banks, Rae Dunn, mugs, etc,. That helps me when I'm out hunting. I've been blessed with a few repeat customers. Webb's Antique Mall in Lake City, FL is large (400 plus vendors), right off an Interstate exit and has been there since 1993. Not making a fortune but increasing sales every month and learning so much from the other vendors, management and YOU. Thanks.
Hi Melanie, Thanks for your focused and practical advice for building a business! I especially liked your emphasis on building a loyal customer base for repeat or referred sales. I'll look forward to your upcoming videos!
BIG Thanks! Just moving into a booth this weekend. Great info!🙏🎆
Very helpful info and perspective. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Love your content. I own a mall and share your videos in our vendors group.
This is what my business has evolved to. I’m in a shop in town but I put things in my side yard and people are now coming to my house to shop and buy things. Also, asking me to look for things for them. Kind of like a personal shopper but it has paid off in that I have created relationships with people.
That’s perfect! What a great way to grow and develop another revenue stream 😊
Hi Melany! I think this is hands down THE BEST CZcams video I’ve ever watched. I recently became a booth owner and finding your channel has been so refreshing and encouraging at so many levels. I appreciate you sharing all the wisdom acquired throughout your many years running your business and I look forward to you uploading more videos like this! 💕👌🏼🙌🏼
Well Daniela, that makes me smile so big! I’m SO glad it was helpful! I really do love passing on what I’ve learned and it’s even better when I hear it’s helping someone else. There’s lots more to come!
I TOTALLY agree with you about the FB Maketplace. That’s one reason I got off Etsy - hey where did you get that cool thing - on Etsy. The brand is Etsy not MY business. Thanks for the info!!!!!
I completely agree regarding Etsy! It can be really tough to build your brand there
Melanie, such an informative video. Business class 101! Just awesome! 💕
Thanks so much!
Great insight Melanie. After listening to your talk, I think my wife and I are in a third category. As Boomers, we have our own collections that we need to sell, and we also have our parents treasures that we need to sell, actually uploading our collections. We rented a booth at a local mall and kept our prices low on many items, until I saw my LP Vinyl collection become a hot item. What do you think of our delima?
so so helpful! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
great infor! thx you!
Great information! Thanks for take the time to make this video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for absolutely great business tips and inspiration.
Great info! Thank you so much!
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼thank you
Hi Melany! thanks for the video
You’re so welcome!
You just validated for me that I need to step up my game!!! Great information and so needed at this point of my resellers journey. You are a true GODDESS!! ❤
So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching :)
Very helpful ! Easily understood
Would also like information on the different on- line avenues and how to know if that is a good option or not for my business ( what should I be considering?) How do you determine postage? How do you know if eBay,whatnot, or Poshmark,etc. Are the places to market? Thank you
I really enjoy your insights. Thank you.
Thank you so much! This information was exactly what I was looking for! I have adored thrifting and finding the coolest stuff. I had no idea that I could make money at it. However, you are such a precious gift, to share your knowledge and allow us to learn through you! Thank you so much! I adore you!
You are so very welcome, and thank you for such a kind comment :)
I can see why there was a lively discussion on this topic because I think the answer depends a lot on where your booth is located and the clientele it attracts. My booth is in an affordable mall that attracts bargain hunters. I don't get the highest prices, but I also pay about half the rent of the better malls. Bargain hunters don't always stop in super decorated, curated booths because they assume that items are going to be priced high.
Thank you so much for the great advice!
You’re very welcome 😊
Thank you for a great video ✌️
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)
Awesome help.
Yay! So glad it was helpful :) Thanks for watching
Great tutorial. Clear and concise. I am sharing this on my Dealing on the River Facebook page. Thank you. New subscriber. Looking forward to other posts.
Awesome, thanks for sharing! And so glad you found it helpful :)
I so appreciate your knowledge and wisdom. I am trying and it wasn’t getting me anywhere! Now I know why! I want to build a brand and do all of the things you said, but didn’t know how. Thank you!
You can do it!
Thank you for this information, is an inspiration to continue with my business. God bless you and keep doing the good work.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for being there for a newbie to Antique Mall booth and building a business not just selling Stuff! I have an idea I want to explore and this video gave me the motivation I needed to look at this booth as a way to brand my Business! Cositas Antigua is coming into reality! More to be revealed!
Yay! 👏👏
You are SO right! I had a brick and mortar for 3 years and the profits looked amazing until I punched the numbers. What a disappointment. I downsized into a booth at a local crafters/antique location and am so glad I did. The dream is still alive just without the headaches. Thanks for posting this.
Yes! Yay for you!
Thank you so much for this video! You’ve given me such a paradigm shift in my thinking!
Great! I’m so glad it was helpful!
Thank you so very much for making this video! So very helpful and exactly what I need to do.
You’re welcome! So glad it was helpful :)
Thank you for this inspirational and business-minded video - really needed this to lift my spirits today. I appreciate that you share your talent and mind. Again - thank you!
You’re so welcome! Glad it was helpful
Oh lord, get the message out, please
Trying my best!
Thank you for this video. This is all of the things that run through my head and I try to explain to my fiance. I would like to learn how to find all of these numbers, so I can figure this out. I know it would help me so much. Thank you for taking time to make this video.
Thank you so much for this information! I have a booth I would like to take to the next level. You're very inspiring that I can do this too :)
You CAN do it! So glad you found it helpful :)
I read the exact post you are talking about. He did sound grumpy. A lot of people on that page seem like they are miserable. I wonder why they are in the business.
Well, that’s social media though a lot, right? Seems like a place to go and air grievances 😂 Which I will confess, I’ve done myself a time or two as well!
Hello Melany. Thank you for this video. I have been dabbling as it seems for a number of years. Living in a rural area with no antique shops around it’s been pretty rough. I sale on market place, word of mouth and a rare market.
We put up a building which I hope to have a area there to sale.
I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thanks Judy😊, hope these videos can be a good resource for you!
Amen sister, moved to a remote area a year ago. We have a few good markets in Spring & Summer. Talked about putting up a Old Hickory shed/workplace in the future also. Melanie has great points to think about and implement. Thankful that I found her, enjoy your dabbing!
You have shared some very valuable information and I thank you so much. I am just getting started, and although it is a hobby for me, I still want to make it profitable!
Excellent advice, not sure why more boothers don't talk about this! I did a video on shop booth math which was kind of mess because there's not much solid info out there. So glad I found your channel!
Awesome! Glad it was helpful, thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for the video and sound advice! Very helpful.. I’m tuning in and listening all the time. I have a small booth business and I now realize I need to keep better records (which I don’t like after being in bookkeeping for years! :)
but I really do need to see my profit. Thank you!
I know… it’s the part of business nobody really likes! But it will help you so much to get a good handle on your numbers. Glad the video was helpful, thanks for watching!
Good information
Interested in more information on other revenue streams
Thank you! That’s great feedback, that will go on my list for future video ideas. Thanks for watching!
Great information! Would love to get more business tips from you.
Thanks! I have a playlist of booth videos on my channel, and more to come!
I live in Missouri, I wanna come shop in Ark soon!
Not very many good Antique Stores here.
Today is the first time I've watched any of your videos and you do an excellent job explaining the realities of selling items and what it actually entails. I have been selling from a space at a vintage, antique, handmade....store for several years. I'm retired and I wasn't looking for a huge income but a little would be nice. I calculate what I take in and expenses almost identical to how you explained it. Very seldom do I make any money to speak of but to the owner it appears that I do quite well. I work so hard to find things and make things that people like. My inventory numbers/codes are key to what I read as what buyers want. Often they are dismissed and just a random description is written down with the price. If it's something for $7.00, I have many things for $7 and it's not helpful to just have "glassware" written down. How do you keep track of what specific items are sold in your space? One thing you didn't mention in expenses was mileage and displays. They count up quickly. Thank you so much for affirming my way of thinking about how much I make.
It can be super hard to keep good track of your numbers if your mall doesn’t enter descriptive enough tags, or item numbers. If you are getting pushback from your mall, maybe you can switch up your tags a bit- say give each item a specific number, but very general description (like glassware), and ask your mall to please JUST enter the item #. That makes it really easy for them, less typing! And then when you get your report, you can match the item number with your specific inventory report? It sounds like you are already doing something like that, it may though mean a convo with the mall owner just clarifying your needs. Just an idea. But I get the struggle. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can do! You can also try and get an idea of your average profit margin. Item to item it will vary, but let’s say on average you get a 75% profit margin on your products. You can use that average each month to calculate your overall actual profit from that months sales, and you don’t need specific item costs to do it. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough and can still provide good info for you as you evaluate how well you’re doing
Just my two cents...
I started in my own store, closed it because I wanted to move. Started selling in antique booths. Did well, had great spaces in great locations. I also started selling on marketplace. The money I made from that bought me a shed, then I out grew that and went to a warehouse, then got a bigger warehouse. I had to reevaluate how my booth was doing and found that it just wasn't a profitable venture for me and I wasn't getting my name out there. I solely sell on marketplace and warehouse sales once a quarter. I brand all of my photos, and also put my business links on my listing. This has driven my business so much. I have a wonderful customs business as well as selling found pieces and decor. I have a following and a repeat customer base. In my case, there are no stores nearby that I fit in, so it works for me. The key to selling anywhere is advertising YOUR business and treating it as a business. Look closely at your numbers...that's where it's at. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there!!! Thanks for all the great advice.
Congratulations on your success! It sounds like you are taking the steps to build your brand and connect with customers, which is the way to build a long term, growing business :)
👁👁👁👁 opening 😊 My mom and I share a booth. We love it BUT your video is a game changer for me now 🤑 Thank you so much
You’re welcome! And yes-it can be tough info to digest, but if you change the way you think, it will make a huge difference!
I love your channel. I’m also horrible at numbers.
Do you keep track of all expenses as well as sales?
Do you have/use a spreadsheet or how do you keep track of your sales?
I try to keep it simple :) I have a paper inventory log-just notebook where I keep records of what my items cost and what I have them listed for-then I keep receipts and once a month enter them into an excel spreadsheet. I also enter my sales each month there too :)
@@LostFoundDecor Great! Thanks.
I have handed out cards and connected with clients via Marketplace. I have offered commission pieces and done a lot of the things suggested in your video it doesn’t work. I rent a booth and this is coming into my third month where I have to make up the rent money. It’s frustrating to say the least. I also up cycle furniture and that is also hard to sell.
Hi Rachel! I’m sorry to hear your booth is struggling… it’s a common experience for many and I know can be disheartening. So much goes into why a possible space is working out-is it the wrong location? Maybe you’re not in front of the right clientele? Maybe it’s pricing? Branding? Or just not having the right or large enough client base yet? There’s lots of booth videos on my channel that talk through some of those other issues and could perhaps help you troubleshoot why you’re space isn’t performing how you want.
Wow. Cost of goods in your video is so high. I keep my average cost price per item at $2 and minimum markup in x4.
Yes, a 50% markup is not ideal! I just tossed it out there as an example, many first time booth sellers I talk with expect to price their items for double the cost. I highly encourage to at least price 3x’a for a healthy markup, 4 is even better. Glad you can get those margins in your space-great job!
Melany, videos are great, I learn so much from them. Since Christmas is on the way I am trying to fit another shelving unit into my space. Our Mall lets us use whatever units they have that they are not planning on using in new booths. I want this unit to contain all the Christmas stuff I have accumulated over the past month or so. It will also include lights to draw the eye hopefully. I am trying to pick up my game.
Also my mall management, clerks and workers are always pointing out to me things that I have sold that have repeat customers who come in regularly looking for specifics like banks, Rae Dunn, mugs, etc,. That helps me when I'm out hunting. I've been blessed with a few repeat customers.
Webb's Antique Mall in Lake City, FL is large (400 plus vendors), right off an Interstate exit and has been there since 1993. Not making a fortune but increasing sales every month and learning so much from the other vendors, management and YOU. Thanks.
Way to go Carol! It sounds like you have a plan and you’re making awesome progress!
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your focused and practical advice for building a business! I especially liked your emphasis on building a loyal customer base for repeat or referred sales. I'll look forward to your upcoming videos!
Awesome! Thanks so much Lillian!