When You’re Working Too Hard to Be This Broke
The vendor money mindset shift that changes everything
Let’s be honest:
You didn’t start your business to break even.
You didn’t sign up for 6AM setups and hauling bins just to leave wondering “Did I even make money today?”
And yet—here you are.
Doing all the right things.
Making sales.
Getting compliments.
Showing up to pop-ups, trying your best.
But still feeling like the money’s not matching the work.
That’s not just exhausting—it’s discouraging.
So let’s talk about what’s really going on.
You’re Not the Problem. The Plan Is.
Most vendors aren’t broke because their product isn’t good.
They’re broke because they don’t have a money plan.
And honestly we get it.
By the time you:
Pay the booth fee,
Load the car,
Set up, promote, sell, smile, and tear down—
You’re too tired to even think about money strategy.
But if you don’t stop and get intentional about your profits, you’ll keep showing up, selling out… and still struggling to grow.
Why You’re Not Seeing the Profit You Deserve
You made money—but did you keep any of it?
That’s the real question.
Here’s what’s usually missing:
No Sales Goal
→ You’re showing up to vend, not to sell with purpose.
→ Set a number. Work backwards. Know what success looks like before the event.Pricing Just to Break Even
→ Your booth fee is only part of the cost.
→ You’ve got gas, food, inventory, packaging, time.
→ Your price needs to build profit in—not just cover the table.Not Tracking Expenses
→ If you don’t know what’s going out, you don’t know what’s left.
→ This is where the stress creeps in. You're making sales but can't feel the success.No Follow-Up Plan
→ 100 people stopped at your booth.
→ Do you have their email? Are you doing anything with that list?
→ If you’re not following up, you’re leaving money on the table every time.
What to Do Instead (Start Here)
Let’s fix the money leaks. Here’s a simple plan to take your pop-up from hustle to strategy.
1. Track Your Money—Every Event
Use a simple tracker. (No spreadsheets required.)
→ What came in?
→ What went out?
→ What’s left?
That’s how you stop guessing and start growing.
2. Prep Like a Business, Not a Side Hustle
Before you vend, check this:
Booth fee paid?
Products priced for profit?
Sales goal set?
Follow-up plan in place? (QR code, email signup, clipboard, etc.)
3. Build Your List Every Time You Sell
→ Offer a raffle, discount, or exclusive offer.
→ Put a QR code or clipboard front and center.
→ Follow up with a thank-you and a link to shop again.
This is how you turn a pop-up into repeat customers—not just one-day sales.
This Month’s Challenge: Set a Real Profit Goal
Not just “I hope I do better than last time.”
Try this:
Goal: $1,000 in sales
Costs: $300 booth + $150 inventory
Profit Goal: $550
Now ask yourself:
What do I need to sell to hit that?
How can I drive traffic before the event starts?
You Deserve More Than Just Break-Even Energy
You’ve got the product. The passion. The hustle.
But now? It’s time to move different.
No more vending on vibes.
Because the vendors who get clear, get organized, and build a system—
They start seeing real, repeatable results.
You can be one of them.
You just need the right plan.