What I Learned From My First Pop-Up Market Experience
It was the summer of 2022, and I still hadn’t publicly revealed that I was the person behind Room 1021. Honestly, I was nervous. Putting myself out there felt vulnerable, and I didn’t know how people would react.
One sunny day, as I relaxed on my porch, I got a notification: a new Instagram message. It was from Des Moines Mercantile—eeeek! My heart raced as I opened it. Mallory had reached out, inviting me to discuss a potential back-to-school pop-up. I was thrilled but also completely terrified.
At that point, only my close friends and family knew I was running the account. Saying yes meant stepping into the spotlight, exposing myself as the face behind the brand. But it also meant an exciting opportunity, so I decided to go for it. It was way too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The Prep: Figuring It Out as I Went
I’d never done a pop-up before, so I had no idea what to expect. How much inventory should I bring? How should I set up my booth? Since I didn’t have many products yet, I packed almost my entire collection. Tees, sweatshirts, stickers, water bottles- they were all coming with.
I wanted my setup to look nice but didn’t want to spend too much on materials since I wasn’t sure if this was a one-time thing. I ended up using a decorative coat rack from my house which had a built-in shelf for display. I also bought a folding table and a basic white tent, which is standard for most markets.
The night before, I was so anxious. What if no one showed up? What if I totally failed? At the time, my son was only nine months old, so having him outside in the summer heat wasn’t an option. My parents drove in from Cedar Rapids to help out, which was such a great help. But once again- I would have been embarrassed if they came all that way for nothing.
The Big Day: The Moment of Truth
My husband and I arrived an hour early to set up, thinking it was plenty of time—but I was wrong. I quickly realized how rushed I felt as the minutes ticked by. Lesson learned: always give yourself extra time!
As people started showing up, I was shocked and thrilled to hear that many of them had followed me on Instagram and wanted to see my items in person. My first-ever in-person customers were a kind family who believed in me enough to spend their hard-earned money on my products. I will never forget that moment and the pride that I felt.
The day flew by in a whirlwind of conversations and sales. Friends stopped by to show their support, and I met so many fellow educators gearing up for the new school year. By the end of the event, I had made more sales than I had in the previous nine months combined.
Three Lessons I Learned
1. Arrive earlier than you think you need to.
We arrived an hour before the market started, but I still felt rushed. Adding at least 30 extra minutes would’ve saved me so much stress.
I’d planned to grab a donut from the bakery next door, but the market was so busy I never had time. Next time, I’ll make sure to eat a solid meal before the event.
I completely forgot about this in my prep. Thankfully, customers were understanding, but I wish I’d been better prepared with bags for their purchases.
Looking Back
That day was a turning point for me. It gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward and reminded me why I started Room 1021: to connect with others who share a love for teaching and public education.
The support I felt—from my family, my friends, and the Des Moines community—was incredible. My only regret is not believing in myself sooner.
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