Biki's Country Carousel Boutique, Provo, UT
Hi! I'm R. M. Sorensen. I have been an independent artist for over 15 years. I am currently working towards earning my bachelors degree in Illustration with the hopes of someday becoming a children's book writer and illustrator.
Up until about a year ago, I was a pharmacy technician, an occupation I had held for the past ten years. I am much more of a creative sort, and although I found a certain aspect of respect for the medical field, I long ago came to realize that it was not for me. I took the plunge and quit my job, much to the chagrin of my family, and decided to go into business for myself while going to school.
I decided to start my own home-based craft business and began participating in various craft shows as a vendor across the state. Though I believed my particular wares were quite unique and would do well as a one-of-a-kind item, I did not market nor did I utilize my offerings in a way that would appeal to the public. In a nutshell, I bombed my first five shows.
Through trail and error, however, I was able to find a better way to promote my items and make them more appealing to customers. By my sixth show, I FINALLY made a profit. I also came to the realization that I would not be able to make serious money (at least not enough to support myself and my children) by just participating in craft shows here and there where there was no guarantee that I would turn a profit. I discovered that the real money is in actually hosting the craft shows.
By collecting booth rental fees and a small commission from overall sales, the craft show host makes profit no matter what. Or so I thought... After putting out feelers from all of my craft show friends that I had made thus far, I discovered one friend who had decided to sell her craft business. Not just her business, but her craft show business. She owned and operated an annual craft show that was very successful. I was able to sit down with her and get some very valuable tips and pointers on hosting a craft show (not quite as easy as I originally thought).
