In December as the year came to a close, I reflected on my journey with pop-up stalls at Knot Square. Having set up 12 stalls in the last 3 years, with 11 of them in 2023, I wanted to do 12, making it a total of 13. However, I didn't want to rush into anything just for the sake of it.
After completing the Mysore Stall, I decided to take it slow due to personal reasons. However, when an opportunity from Klayworkz Barista presented itself to set up a stall at The Big Barn on Kanakapura Road during a long weekend, I hesitated initially. The thought of investing without a clear plan didn't sit well with me. That was until Klayworkz sweetened the deal by offering the first 5 registrations free stalls. Yes! You read that right and that was the nudge I needed.
Despite registering, personal circumstances at home left me with limited time nor I was in the right state of mind to create. I'm a firm believer that knotting is an art best done when the heart is light. It wasn't until the night before the event that I decided to craft a few more pieces, opting for simplicity with a couple of plant hangers. Thankfully, my dad and sister, who were in town, lent a helping hand.
Arriving at The Big Barn the next day, we found most stalls yet to be set up. To our surprise, we were the first indoors stall to be ready. Our first customer came before we were fully set up, and soon after, another one wandered in. However, as the afternoon approached, the event seemed to lose its vibrancy, and footfall dwindled. With time on my hands, I turned the lull into quality time with my sister, creating reels and exploring other stalls.
Evening brought visits from my cousin and brother-in-laws, adding joy to the day. Sometime later, my parents also joined in. Hoping for a late surge in customers during dinner, I resisted closing up early, unlike a couple of other stalls. When a few visitors finally trickled in, I seized the opportunity and asked the organizer to inform them that we'd be wrapping up soon.
Uncertain about approaching restaurant customers directly, I waited for a signal. To my delight, the organizer encouraged me to invite people to check out the stalls. Taking a quick round, I approached a couple of customers, leading to a significant sale from a delightful lady who shopped with enthusiasm, making the entire wait worthwhile.
She initially selected a few products and requested me to pack them for her. Delighted with her purchase, I decided to add a personal touch by offering her a complimentary fridge magnet. To my surprise and joy, she not only completed her initial purchase but returned a couple of minutes later, expressing her desire to shop some more for gifting purposes!
What struck me more was her genuine support—she navigated through her purchases without once negotiating on the price. It's moments like these that make me wish all of us could understand and approach small businesses with an appreciation for the effort that goes into crafting handmade products.
Luckily, I've have had majority of my customers share this understanding. Many of them never negotiate on the price; in fact, some have even suggested that I could price my products higher. However, I find that in a stall set-up, it's not uncommon for customers to inquire about discounts—it has become a common practice, perhaps unintentionally.
As I packed up with a bright smile, the day reinforced a valuable lesson—patience is indeed the key in the world of stalls and knots.
-Archana Harish
Click here to watch the reel on our Instagram Page @knotsquare.in
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