That's what these people are doing in Cayucos, California at a weekend gem and mineral show. They are showing and selling rocks. And people are buying them. We bought some.
And that amazes me.
First, that some people are really into rocks. We went into the show because my brother-in-law, who we're sharing a day or of vacation with along with his wife and two girls, is a geologist. OK, that's understandable...he likes rocks because its his job. But here is a collection of people who are passionate about rocks, gems and minerals just because they like them and find them interesting. It's their hobby. And they know a lot about them, and are anxious to talk to you about their life and their rocks.
One vendor was displaying some really interesting polished globes (one aisle down from a table selling petrified dinosaur dung). She and her family travel these shows about twenty weekends a year as a side business. They do pretty well, she says. Across the aisle from her was a guy who was selling fused glass jewelery. It was amazing - but then again, anything shiny gets my attention. I'm like a small bird in that regard.
The second thing that amazed me was that we bought some rocks. We spent about $20 or so for a bag of this, and a sample of that. Nothing we'll keep or even remember once we get home, but its hard to go to a show like that and not walk out with something.
The people who do these types of shows, craft fairs, home shows, etc. can make great livings selling their wares. Like the guy I wrote about a few months ago selling knives at a home and garden show we attended. Why? Because while you do have some people that are there just to browse, there are a whole lot more who are there to buy. It's the ultimate in "permission marketing" that I just got done talking about...they set up, they open the doors, they invite you in, and you accept their invitation. They're doing it right, really...and they're making a good living doing it.
Comment Preview