30 cents

While researching antique booths, I came across the statement from multiple sources that small items pay the rent, and large items make your profit.  I took that advice to heart, and Ella and I filled our new booth with lots of small items, including a rack full of DVDs for $2 each.

On April Fool’s Day of all days, we visited the antique mall to get the itemized sales list for our first month.   Honestly, I was expecting the worse.  We knew some things had sold, including many DVDs, but really had no idea where we were in terms of profit or loss.  As it turns out, we actually broke even, for all practical purposes, barely exceeding our rent, but owing 30 cents due to credit card/debit fees.

I know that breaking even is not really a “win,” since the cost of the inventory was not recouped after booth rent.  However, given that the booth was a work in progress during the month, and that much of the inventory already was on hand, I’m calling the inaugural month of Barry’s Bonanza a success.

We can’t rest on our laurels, though; there is much work to be done, including adding another bookcase, and restocking the DVD rack.  The DVDs were our biggest seller during the month.

Much like my online business, media saves the day.