Chloe Adams
Farmers' markets are a great way to sell your candles in person and build your business. In Oregon, you can sell candles at the Salem Saturday Market, where there is a \$50 sign-up fee and a \$30 fee per Saturday. To sell at a farmer's market, you will need a variety of candles, a pop-up canopy, a banner, tables, and a money box. You should also create eye-catching and informative labels for your candles, including pricing and ingredients, and prepare attractive packaging options. You can also sell your candles online through platforms like Etsy, or social media like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok.
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What You'll Learn
Licensing and permits
For candle-making businesses in Oregon, specific labelling and handling requirements must be met to comply with local regulations and maintain legal compliance. These requirements can be found in resources like the Oregon Farmers Markets Association's guide or by consulting a specialist from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Ensuring your product labels include pricing, ingredients, and any special benefits, while also adhering to local regulations, is vital.
If you are selling food products, different licenses are necessary. Most farmers' market vendors selling food will need either a bakery license or a food processing establishment license from the ODA. County environmental health departments oversee the licensing of food booths and mobile food carts or trucks, and a separate license is required for each farmers' market location. If you are selling ready-to-eat food from a booth, a temporary restaurant license (TRL) is mandated.
Alcoholic beverage sales are regulated by the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC). An annual license is required for selling alcohol at a farmers' market, and a special event license is needed if you wish to offer tastings. If you plan to sell by the glass, you must work closely with the OLCC to create a regulated space that prevents access to alcohol by those under 21. There are various annual licenses depending on the alcohol type (beer, wine, spirits), and these can be found on the OLCC website.
Additionally, some farmers' markets may have their own specific rules and requirements. For example, the Salem Saturday Market in Oregon charges a $50 sign-up fee and a $30 fee for a space each market day. It is important to consult with your local market to understand their unique regulations and fees.
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Marketing and customer engagement
Pre-Market Preparation:
Before the market, it is essential to build up your inventory, ensuring you have a variety of candles in different fragrances, sizes, and types. Prepare eye-catching and informative labels for your products, including pricing, ingredients, and special benefits, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Design professional marketing materials, such as business cards, brochures, and flyers, that showcase your brand and product information. Update your website and social media channels with details about your upcoming market presence. Spread the word by sharing your sale dates and market experiences across social media platforms, encouraging customers to share their experiences and use designated hashtags.
Attracting Customers:
Create an attractive booth that showcases your products and draws customers in. You can enhance this by providing samples and signage, encouraging customers to try out your products. Clearly label samples and provide instructions to guide customers towards making informed purchases. Engage with customers, share your brand story, and provide exceptional service to create lasting impressions.
Increasing Sales:
Offer limited-edition or seasonal products to create a sense of urgency. Collaborate with other vendors for cross-promotion, expanding your customer base and offering joint promotions or gift sets with complementary items. Provide gift-wrapping services, especially during the holiday season, to enhance the perceived value of your products and stand out from competitors.
Feedback and Improvement:
Encourage customers to provide feedback, which is invaluable for improving your products and understanding their preferences. After each market, reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Update your inventory and sales strategies accordingly, and add any collected emails to your subscriber list for future marketing campaigns.
Sales and Transactions:
Work out a system for tracking sales and taxes. You can use a card reader synced to a point-of-sale system or simply compare inventory counts. Decide whether to collect sales tax on top of the candle price or back it out to simplify cash transactions. Consider accepting credit cards, even if you don't have your own machine; some markets provide this option.
By implementing these marketing and customer engagement strategies, you can effectively sell your candles at farmer's markets in Oregon and build a successful business.
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Booth setup and design
Setting up a booth at a farmer's market in Oregon to sell candles requires some planning and preparation. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for designing and setting up an attractive and functional booth:
- Confirm the event details: Before setting up your booth, confirm the location, times, expected attendance, and vending space details. Know the start and end times, set-up and breakdown times, and the size of your allocated space.
- Choose a suitable tent or canopy: Depending on whether the event is indoors or outdoors, you may need a tent or canopy. Opt for a sturdy and simple 10x10' white tent, which is a standard size and offers protection from the elements. Ensure it has necessary add-ons like sidewalls for privacy and weather protection.
- Fire safety considerations: If you set up a booth structure, follow fire safety regulations. Have a fire extinguisher that is easily accessible and inspected within the last 12 months. Ensure all roof and side coverings are fire retardant, and have the necessary labels or documentation to prove it.
- Tables and displays: Invest in good-quality tables that can bear weight, such as 2.5' wide by 6' long tables. Use wooden crates, buckets, or slabs of scrap wood to create vertical displays and make your setup appealing and inviting. Always make your tables look full and abundant.
- Signage and identification: Display a clear sign that includes your business name and any relevant certifications. This helps customers identify your booth and adds credibility.
- Payment methods: Decide on your preferred payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, or online payments. If accepting cards, ensure you have a reliable card reader that syncs with your point-of-sale system. Have a cash box, receipt book, and other necessary stationery.
- Inventory management: Plan your inventory based on the expected attendance. Strategise your pricing and consider offering specials or deals, such as "3 for" or "4 for" promotions, to attract customers and increase sales.
- Aesthetics and ambiance: Enhance the visual appeal of your booth. Use simple and neutral-coloured tablecloths, such as beige or white, to avoid distracting from your products. Ensure your display is well-lit, especially if the event continues into the evening.
- Prepare for unexpected needs: It is always a good idea to have a mental or physical checklist of items you may need. Don't forget the small things like pens, extra stationery, and other supplies. It's better to be over-prepared than to realise you've forgotten something essential.
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Product packaging and labelling
When it comes to selling candles at a farmer's market in Oregon, or anywhere else, product packaging and labelling are key. You'll want to create eye-catching and informative labels that not only showcase your brand but also provide essential information to your customers. This includes pricing, ingredients, burn time, and any special benefits or unique ingredients. Make sure your labels comply with local regulations, which you can do by referencing a candle labelling requirements guide.
Prepare attractive packaging options, such as gift boxes or eco-friendly wrapping, to enhance the perceived value of your candles. During the holiday season, consider offering gift wrapping to make your products more appealing to gift buyers. You could also create a sense of urgency with shoppers by offering limited-edition or seasonal products.
In addition to product packaging and labelling, it's important to have marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, or flyers that showcase your brand and provide information about your candles. If you have a website or online store, make sure to update it with details about the upcoming farmer's market. Social media can also be a powerful tool for marketing your business and directly selling to customers. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok allow you to tag products in posts or integrate your store for direct sales.
Before selling at a farmer's market, it's a good idea to research the market and its rules. For example, some markets may require a reservation and a fee for a selling space. You'll also want to build up your inventory with a variety of candles in different fragrances, sizes, and types, including your best sellers and new products. Having samples and testers can also be a great way to initiate conversations with customers and guide them towards other products they might be interested in.
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Sales and payment methods
Before you start selling your candles at a farmer's market, it's important to understand the sales and payment methods that will be involved. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:
- Market Selection and Registration: Choose a farmer's market that aligns with your brand and target audience. For instance, if your candles cater to a specific fandom, consider selling at a convention related to that fandom. Research the market's location, timings, and expected attendance. Register for the market and pay any associated fees, such as a sign-up fee or a space rental fee for each day of participation.
- Inventory Planning: Build up your inventory to ensure you have a variety of candles in different fragrances, sizes, and types. Include your best-selling candles, items from your newest collection, and a few products that you're testing to gather feedback. Consider the expected attendance of the market to determine the quantity of each candle variant you should bring.
- Product Packaging and Labelling: Prepare attractive and informative packaging for your candles. This can include gift boxes or eco-friendly wrapping to enhance the perceived value of your products. Create eye-catching labels that include pricing, ingredients, burn time, and any special benefits. Ensure your labels comply with local regulations.
- Payment Methods: Decide on the payment methods you will accept at the farmer's market. You can accept cash, credit cards, or both. If you opt for credit card payments, you may need to use a card reader synced to a point-of-sale system to process transactions. Determine whether you will collect sales tax on top of the candle price or include it in the selling price. Including it in the selling price allows you to collect whole denominations and provide change more easily for cash transactions.
- Sales Tracking: Develop a system to track your sales and inventory during the market. You can use a simple calculator to tally sales amounts and perform calculations, especially when offering discounts. Consider using a card reader with a synced point-of-sale system to generate sales reports after the market. A receipt book is also recommended, as it adds professionalism and helps customers who need receipts for reimbursement or record-keeping purposes.
- Online Sales Channels: In addition to in-person sales at the farmer's market, explore online sales channels to reach a wider audience. Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, Squarespace, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok) offer opportunities to sell your candles directly to customers worldwide. These channels can help you build an online presence and diversify your revenue streams.
- Post-Market Analysis: After the farmer's market, take time to rest and recover, then unpack and log your sales. Reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Update your inventory checklists and subscriber lists, and use the insights gained to enhance your sales strategies for future markets.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to find a farmer's market that you can sell at. You can do so by checking out the National Farmers Market Directory or your local chamber of commerce’s website. Once you've found a market, you can sign up and pay any associated fees. You should also check with the market what their specific rules are. For example, some markets may require you to have a license to sell certain types of products.
You'll need to bring your own tables and displays, and it's a good idea to bring a pop-up canopy to protect your products from the elements. You should also bring a banner with your business name and a short blurb about your products, as well as a chair to sit on. Make sure you have plenty of candles in different fragrances, sizes, and types, and consider bringing some new products that you're testing to get feedback from customers.
You should create eye-catching and informative labels for your products, including pricing, ingredients, and any special benefits. You can also add visual interest by arranging tables and displays at varying heights and incorporating props such as crates, baskets, plants, or florals. Make sure your booth is well-lit, and consider adding some twinkly white lights to create ambiance.
