Two markets in, loving it, but the math isn’t mathing yet — hustle harder or get a day job?
Our bread and butter has been live entertainment, client hourly paid work. Last year we looked to expand into food service we got enough testing and feedback that we were both able to quit our day jobs. After figuring out our system by working pop ups around our city we got into the farmer’s market. It’s a completely different game, it’ll take time to build loyalty but people have been enthusiastic about our presence. Just not enough to convert to sales. We already know one issue, signage. But the cash flow isn’t even breaking us even, so investing more into this angle is tough. We are too close to it and we have a gnarly history of over complicating business as we are both artists before business people.
Considerations:
Alter our offering - presently a trending specialty item with a specialized griddle, could pivot to a different specialty item as no one is serving it ANYWHERE in our city. Would require its own specialized griddle, research, and new signage.
Invest deeper into the initial specialty item - improved signage, more topping options, but in a 10x10 space we would need to reduce the performance aspect even though it’s the primary driver of customers to our booth but hard to scale.
Add on myself as another performer - still not highly scalable but would increase production of something we know sells.
Double down on events outreach - basically making the base business work to keep the market running. It’s a gamble in the economic market but people are still throwing parties while the world’s on fire.
I get a job - My partner can keep things running and I’d be able to work weekends with him but our bills get paid. They weren’t kidding when they said the job market is real whack, hunting for a job with my weird business owner’s collection of skill sets it’s hard. Not impossible but it’s also going to take time to land a job with my resume and at my price range. I am willing and able but I am my own boss for a reason.
This is likely a two option approach, improve signage and double down on events OR get a job and pivot offerings or whatever. We can’t do it all but we can do a lot, we have a week before the next market and two before we are really hurting for funds. I just can’t see the forest through the trees and would love advice on how to run my dream job of being my own boss.