Booth set-up is a strategy for vendors at the Made in Hawaii Festival

HONOLULU (KHON2) – Here at the Made In Hawaii Festival, it is not all about shopping, but of course it is a big deal.

The other component is coming from the vendor side of this.

Now, there might be a lot of vendors and small businesses or interested entrepreneurs who are watching this and wondering, what is the best way to approach an event, but of course, with a big event like this, to try to optimize and make as much money as possible.

Well, we are here with one of the vendors to hopefully tap into her brain and get some of the tips that she uses.

Giselle Santana, owner of Honolulu Baby Company, along with a couple of other brands that are also here.

How long have you been in business?

“So, I have been in business for over 15 years. This is our 12th year at the Made In Hawaii Festival so we are really excited to be here,” says Santana.

Walking down the aisles, I see everyone setting up their booths different.

Some have their tables up closest to the aisle, so allow guests to come in through, some have more fixtures than others.

For you, what has been the best strategy for how to make your booth the best to lead to the most sales?

“I think, for me, I like to keep in mind visibility,” says Santana.

“Of course, when you are in a big market like this, there are a lot of vendors so having our sign up high that people can see it. Also, making it spacious because we have a lot of customers who have strollers so they can come in and look around. And then organizing everything so their know where to find what they are looking for.”

You have different brands as mentioned.

You have Mama Kine Tings across the aisle from here, ʻOlelo With Me is another.

Do you set up each differently or what is your approach to that?

“Yes, we kind of keep the same things in mind,” says Santana.

“Visibility, easy for the customer. But then, each company has their own strengths and things that we want to highlight so a little bit different.”

If you have a tip for someone who is an up-and-coming entrepreneur, what would your tip to them be?

“My tip would be go to a market before you are going to do it,” says Santana.

“So, if your goal is to do the Made In Hawaii Festival, come and visit it, look around, take some notes and then go home and plan for when you are ready to apply.”

You know, it is those kinds of things that are super important and valuable.

We may not think of that, but again, coming from the entrepreneur, those little things could make the biggest difference in terms of sales.

Here at the Made In Hawaii Festival, over 33,000 tickets have been sold already throughout this weekend.

So, you are going to want to come down.

Tonight will be up until 8 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are some new things this year, including indicators on the ground and flags indicating the different booth numbers.

Also, when you come into the loading zone in the front, we do have a brand new kupuna drop off that makes it much easier for them.

For more information about the Made In Hawaii Festival, click here.

For more on Honolulu Baby Company, click here.