Episode 91: Your Booth Is Pretty… So Why Aren’t You Making Sales?

Your soap can be amazing… but if your booth looks like a rummage sale, customers may never stop long enough to find out.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we’re talking vendor booth design, merchandising, retail psychology, and what actually makes shoppers stop, look, and BUY.

We’re joined by Jessi from Create Along with Jessie, who brings nearly 20 years of vendor-show experience plus a background in interior design. She breaks down what makers are getting wrong—and what you can change without spending thousands of dollars on a fancy booth.

We talk about:

🐄 Why having a handmade product is no longer enough to make your booth stand out 🐄 The 3-second first impression at a vendor show 🐄 Why your booth needs a focal point 🐄 Displaying products vs. actually merchandising them 🐄 How much empty space you REALLY need 🐄 Why clutter can make your products feel cheaper 🐄 How to make a booth look more expensive without spending a fortune 🐄 What should be at eye level 🐄 How to create collections that make sense to shoppers 🐄 Why your booth layout isn't the first thing you should figure out 🐄 How to choose the right booth layout for your products 🐄 What to do when you're stuck in a terrible booth location 🐄 Why the type of vendor show—and the audience—matters so much 🐄 How to know whether a show is actually worth your time and money 🐄 What new vendors should—and should NOT—spend money on 🐄 The importance of pricing your handmade products for your time 🐄 What to keep in your vendor show emergency kit 🐄 And, of course, the story of the woman who apparently thought Jessi's free samples were an all-you-can-eat buffet. 😂

And if you've ever wondered whether your booth is too cluttered, too empty, too boring, or just not converting browsers into buyers, this one is for you.

The biggest takeaway? Your booth isn't just decoration. It's part of the shopping experience.

If you're getting ready for a craft fair, farmers market, soap show, or vendor event, send this episode to another maker who needs to hear it!

👇 Tell us in the comments: What's the biggest vendor booth mistake you've made—or seen?

And if you're a soap maker or handmade business owner who loves the messy, honest side of running a creative business, subscribe to The Dirty Heifers and join the herd.

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Margaret – Warm & Fuzzy Soapery Jessie – Country Lather Soap Works