Okay.

So my vendor experience at the Markets Ontario Holiday Market held at Watson Farms in Bowmanville was… humbling.

The market ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the booth fee was $169.50.

I made a total of nine sales the entire day.

Nine.

And that amounted to a whopping $95.17 gross.
…that’s before taxes.

After building momentum at the Shops at Don Mills markets and finally making profit consistently, this one stung a little.

It was also really cold. And really windy. And my hair was jacked up the entire time because the wind would not let me live.

Not gonna lie, I felt a little uncomfortable fixing the nest on top of my head that was being hurled to and fro all day. Not ideal when you’re trying to feel confident selling your products.

And honestly? I left feeling disappointed.

This market was right in the middle of my advent calendar season. Etsy sales had really started picking up too, and I was already busy trying to get orders out on time. So standing there in the cold, with nine sales made, I couldn’t help but think… I could’ve been at home packing advent calendars right now.

On top of that, we definitely spent more than half of what I made. I bought matching keychains for my sisters and niece from the booth next to me as Christmas gifts (supporting fellow vendors always), we grabbed coffee and food, and of course I got some cinnamon honey and some honey sticks from the booth down the aisle.

So technically? It was basically a wash.

But here’s the bigger realization.

By this point I had done the Butter Tart Festival, Paris Nights Market, and now this farm-style holiday market at Watson Farms. And I started noticing a pattern.

The farm-type markets just weren’t the right fit for my travel-themed products.

People were kind. I got compliments. They liked the designs.

But liking something and buying something are two very different things.

And I think the demographic at these farm-style markets just isn’t actively looking for travel-inspired stationery and gifts.

That day, I pretty much decided I’m probably not going to do any more farm-like markets moving forward. Not because they’re bad — but because alignment matters.

The (maybe) silver lining?

I had asked a little last minute to participate in the Toronto Artisan Holiday Market happening at Shops at Don Mills — and I got accepted. It was scheduled for the very next day.

So after a tough Saturday at Watson Farms, I was really hoping Sunday at Shops would make up for it.

Fingers 🤞🏾.

Until next time ♡