Our First Vendor Experience with U of T

Lessons for New Artist Vendors and Student Founders

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Our first experience vending was equal parts exciting, nerve wracking, and deeply rewarding, especially as a Toronto based small business rooted in creativity and entrepreneurship.

We had the opportunity to vendor through the U of T Entrepreneurship Office at the U of T Bookstore.

The event was open to the public and made up largely of student run and alumni led businesses.

For us, this felt especially meaningful. Brandon, one of our founders, is a U of T alum, and returning to campus as a Toronto artist and small business owner felt like a full circle moment.

What followed became less about sales and more about learning, connection, and community.

Going Into Our First Market as a Small Artist

Like many first time vendors, we did not know what to expect.

Our biggest concern was inventory. As a polymer clay art studio, everything we make is handmade, which means production takes time and energy.

We brought up to 100 items and ended the day with around 100 dollars in sales. While modest by some standards, the experience itself was incredibly valuable.

This was our first real test, not just of our product, but of our presentation, communication, and readiness as a small business.

What We Prepared That Made a Difference

A few things we are very glad we prepared in advance include:

• Gift ready packaging

  • We created gift boxes ahead of time, which helped position our work as thoughtful holiday gift ideas rather than individual items.
    

• A clear POS system

  • Smooth checkout matters, even at small events.
    

• Business cards and signage

  • Clear signage helped people immediately understand what we do, and business cards made follow ups easy.
    

• A strong visual display

  • Our table display, including a last minute arch, received many compliments and clearly helped draw people in.
    

• Interactive elements

  • We brought a blank magnet board so customers could test magnet pieces. This small touch sparked curiosity and conversation. For new artists, this reinforced something important. Presentation is part of the product.

The Value of Knowing Your Pitch and Your Ask

One thing we wish we had practiced even more was our pitch.

This was not just a sales event. It was a valuable networking opportunity with other student founders, alumni, faculty, and startup minded creatives.

Being able to clearly explain who you are, what you make, and what you are looking for next turns casual conversations into meaningful connections.

For anyone new to markets or entrepreneurship, knowing your ask, whether that is collaborations, feedback, followers, or future opportunities, is just as important as knowing your pricing.

A Supportive Startup Environment at U of T

What truly stood out was how smooth and supportive the experience felt.

The organizers from the U of T Entrepreneurship Office made everything clear and straightforward, which allowed vendors to focus on connecting rather than stressing.

It was also encouraging to see how many resources, programs, and initiatives U of T offers through U of T Entrepreneurship to support student founders and alumni entrepreneurs.

This event felt like part of a larger ecosystem designed to help small startups grow.

Lessons We Would Share With New Artists and Student Founders

If you are a U of T student, alum, or Toronto based artist thinking about your first market, here are a few takeaways we would share:

• Treat your first event as market research rather than a sales goal

• Visual merchandising matters more than you think

• Practice talking about your work to build confidence and connection

• Networking with other vendors is just as valuable as selling

• Collecting leads matters and we wish we had offered more incentives to gather emails or social follows

Most importantly, start somewhere. This was an ideal way to dip our toes into vending while being surrounded by support.

Why This Experience Matters

This event was a reminder of how powerful it is when institutions like U of T actively support small businesses, artists, and early stage entrepreneurs.

It gave us clarity, confidence, and a sense of belonging within Toronto’s creative and startup communities.

It also reinforced why we believe handmade art and thoughtful design will always have a place in the world.

For us, it was a wonderful event, a valuable network, and a reminder of how many resources are available when you know where to look.