After the last few tough shows, including one that didn't even pay for itself, a wildly successful one is welcome to say the least. I didn't blog about it at the time, but I think it's important for people to know... I am paying part of my show fees this year with the help of an angel investor.
Most of the shows need their fees paid between January and April, right during the time of year when there are few shows to help earn the money. And many shows don't publish their deadlines and fees until January, so there's no way to know this during your first year on the circuit.
It wouldn't have mattered if I knew, anyhow. I just didn't make enough in my first half-year of small shows to pay all of my bills and startup costs with a year's worth of big show fees left over.
Sooo, I've borrowed money to grow the business fast enough to pay back the loan and have money left over to run the business at this new, higher level. The success of this show will help to reduce my debt. I'm not out of the woods by a long shot, but the trajectory is finally in the right direction.
I don't want much out of this business at this point. I just want to be able to keep weaving. That means paying the bills, buying yarn, covering living expenses, and paying back my debt. Later in the year it will mean saving money for next year's fees, but we're not there yet.
2 comments:
Hello! I bought that beautiful blue-purple-red shawl/blanket (and my pink-haired friend bought your last apprentice scarf) at P-con. :) Do you have an idea of your show schedule for the coming year? I would love to pick up one of your fabulous ruanas next time! Thank you so much for bringing your lovely wares to the show.
Hi, Jen!
Since this is my first year on the show circuit, I don't know which shows I'll be accepted into until about three months before the show. As soon as I get the acceptance letter, the show is added to my online events schedule :http://blossommerz.com/events
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