Since our launch in November 2015, I have attended a couple of local events mainly to dip the BJ toe in the water, get a feel for interacting with humans, strange as it may sound, but for the past decade I have mainly been locked away in my work from home office running my other business which is Web Design, hosting etc. So apart from dealing with my own clients, I needed a bit of practice meeting people and potential customers. Selling online is one thing but to get the best possible feedback and feel for my client base you need to meet and talk with real people.
So to date I have attended the Peterborough Hot Rod and Custom Car Show. A 2 day event at Peterborough Show Ground, not exactly local but as I love cars, hot rods and bikes this was a must.
I made some contacts and some friends, saw some awesome machinery and had a great time.
The Fort Amehurst 40’s Event
The first ever Beard Juice event. An annual event held at the local Fort in Chatham. A 40’s themed event with fantastic live music, people dressed in 40’s costume. Real good fun and a gentle way to ease me into the trade shows. We even had a mention and photo in the local Kent Messenger which was a bonus.
The Kent County Show
This was big 3 day event at the annual Kent County Show with 70,000+ visitors.
We were situated in the Vintage Hall with some great stands and traders. I met some great people along with some local barber shop owners some of whom will be stocking our products.
3 long hard days but a great experience.
Did I mention we got a good 10 minutes on BBC Radio Kent with the James Whale Something for the Weekend Show.
The experience, knowledge and fun I had at these shows was immense. I made some AMAZING contacts, some of whom I am already working with on some exciting projects, made some new friends which is always awesome, and I also made quite a few sales, and hopefully return custom.
Overall I was able to share my knowledge with a lot of great people who were new to the beard oil thing, and found out a lot about some competitors products, which was actually very enlightening.
So for the time being in intend to do a few more local shows, fayres and the like.
My business is not well established enough for me to consider the industry trade shows which although i feel know the product is MORE than capable of standing next to the other well established brands this is something for the near future.
Keeping it local is where it is for the moment. Getting out there, meeting people getting the brand in the top local barbers and retail stores. Making a name within Kent and the South and then spreading our wings further afield.
Next Up
Salute to the 40’s at The Dockyard Chatham
17- 18 September 2016