As this weekly journal entry is being published, the four-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) Home Expo 2024 is halfway over. This is our first year participating in the Home Expo, and we don't know if we will continue to participate in the future. Everything depends on the cost and business.
The first day of the home furnishing expo was quite crowded, but the number of people started to decrease after nightfall, which was quite different from my initial expectations; I thought it would be busier at night. Talking with other experienced exhibitors, they said that often the crowds thin out by 5 or 6 pm, and in previous years, everyone was packing up by 6 pm. That's true, because these expos aren't just casual shopping trips after dinner; people only come when they have a real need, and most people set aside a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to attend. I met many people who knew nothing about Re Pillow Co. and new bed sheets. Although many of them weren't interested in us, I still tried my best to introduce them, at least letting them know that such products exist on the market.
To be honest, it's really tiring! Besides greeting customers at the stall, I also have to manage inventory (store and warehouse) in real time, reply to online inquiries, and follow up on customer deliveries. But business isn't doing very well, and the scale isn't large enough to hire someone to handle these behind-the-scenes tasks full-time. I have to work harder and do more myself.
The second day was indeed "busy with customers but not with business," as it was Saturday. While the venue was indeed busier than the first day (Friday), business wasn't particularly good. However, I'm very grateful to the customers who made a special trip to visit us, or those who didn't specifically come but just happened to pass by the home fair, bought something, and said they liked it. We chatted for a bit, without needing to make a purchase, and that made me very happy. As a business that started online, sometimes people only see us online, or perhaps exchange a few words via email . Having the opportunity to meet in person, even if it's just to say "I'm using it! Keep it up!", is already wonderful. Because when facing a larger public today, I stood in the aisle outside my stall... I tried to introduce the "new bed sheets" to more people, but when I talked about my hoarse voice, I would demonstrate the product again and again. Sometimes passersby were indifferent, or even if they thought, "Hey, that's a good concept ," they would still say, "Let's take another look." Sometimes I couldn't help but feel discouraged. But sometimes, some of my former customers would come and say a few words of encouragement, which was really encouraging. I immediately felt that I wasn't alone. So I am really grateful to everyone who came by today. Thank you for passing by and saying hello and a few words of encouragement. Sometimes what people need is very simple. A word of encouragement can immediately boost my spirits.
The home furnishing expo is already halfway over. Tomorrow is Sunday, the third day. If you see me on Sunday, you'll still have another chance to come over and say hello and chat! Hope to see you.
I also thank you for reading this journal entry. I don't know if this is the first or the 100th journal entry you 've read . Thank you.
#105 Opportunities and Risks (02/06/2024)
#107 Current Status and Development Direction (16/06/2024)