Hosting Your Own Boutique Sales Event (at Home)
Do you have so much stuff- nice stuff- that you could have your own boutique? Well, you may not own your own boutique, but you can certainly have a boutique sale right out of your own home. Let’s plan out some of the basics to see if this might be a good fit for you.
Who?
This is probably something that will appeal to women. I recommend it be hosted by women for women. That way, your guests don’t have to be self-conscious and guarded. It’s hard to shut-out the fact that a man is in the room and many of us aren’t going to try on clothing and shop as freely as a result. So, I recommend by women for women.
In addition, make it by invitation only; to people you know and possibly 1 or 2 women they know personally. This event is in your home.
What?
Your Boutique Weekend isn’t a yard sale. It matters that you put out things befitting a boutique. Bring out your nicest used clothes, shoes, handbags, costume jewelry, fragrances, and beauty aids. That means going through your closets, totes, bins, dresser drawers, shoe rack, etc. What items did you always get compliments when you wore it? What items made you feel like a million bucks? Those are the types of things you want on display. So, what items don’t you wear, use, need, or want any more? Let someone else enjoy them.
If you have a lot of stuff- more than can be displayed in a nice way, then limit the type of items you have in your boutique event. Maybe you’ll decide to have a second event. Presentation matters. You do not want clothes stacked up like a rummage sale, though you can do a little stacking.
Where?
We’re hosting this in your home. You can decorate your main social area with items for your sale. Most of us have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on the first floor. I recommend restricting it to those areas. In the kitchen you should have light refreshments, or some eye-catching beverage. Don’t allow beverages out of the kitchen though, because you can’t afford to have spills on your furniture or merchandise; or on the floor where someone can slip and fall. Even simpler, is to have bottles of water. This is not a social event, per se, it’s your boutique sales event.
When?
Anytime is a good time; just make sure to avoid any scheduling conflicts. Because it’s in your home, it can be Friday evening or Saturday afternoon or evening. It can even be after church on Sunday, even though you risk people showing up hungry and expecting food. Since it’s indoors the season doesn’t matter, as long as the temperature in your home is comfortable.
It’s better that your event is 3 hours or so, rather than dragging on all day- unless you have that much great stuff. What you don’t want is one or two people dawdling in here and there. It helps to have the energy of several
women, excited about a good deal.
If you have a lot of stuff, you can have a 2-day event. You display whatever doesn’t sell on day-1 or you can display a completely different category of items, items you couldn’t put out on day -1 because it would have been overwhelming. The benefit of that, is you may get repeat guests.
Make sure you do a good job announcing your event and building excitement. Post a few of your nicest things in an attractive layout and encourage guests. Maybe even have a couple door prizes. You can let someone have something of their choice for free, or gift with a certain dollar amount purchase. Be creative.
Why?
Your boutique sale is way to unload some of your nicest things in a sophisticated and controlled atmosphere. It’s very different than a yard sale. As a result, you can likely sell your items for more than you would at a yard sale. People didn’t stop over because they happen to be driving by and saw something going on. People are attending an event.
How?
Setup your event to appeal to the eye. Things should be fresh looking and smelling. They should be steamed to get rid of wrinkles. Clothes should be hanging as often as possible. If you can rent or borrow a rack, consider it. You can also creatively drape some items across your couch or other furniture. You need a full-length mirror just like in a department store. People like to see how things look up against them. They are less than $10 and you may already have a couple in your home.
Jewelry, fragrances, and things that sparkle should be displayed on a nice table and even mirrored or clear class trays to help reflect the light and draw eyes. It makes a difference.
Other than furniture, do not have anything out that is not for sale during your event. Put away knickknacks and artwork and all those nice things that you keep on display for social events. You don’t want people confused about what’s for sale. Plus, you probably need the space.
Presentation matters. If you know someone who has a good eye for fashion and/or staging an area; someone who is good at adding creative touches- solicit their help. But, even if you don’t, you’d be surprised how well you (and your helpers) can do just by winging it and tweaking little things as you go.
Price things comparable to a second-hand store. If your items are in great condition and you know your audience, you could get away with pricing them higher and they still walk away with a good or great deal.
You’ll need help. You’ll need at least a couple people to help you set up, assist guests, and keep an eye out to make sure things flow decent and in order.
Conclusion
You can host your own boutique sales event at your home and have a lot of fun doing it. The benefit is you can sell things for more than you could at a yard sale. The drawback is, if you don’t know a lot of people and/or don’t publicize it well, you may not get enough guests/customers to make your event successful. Plus, because it’s exclusive, you don’t have the benefit of the drive by drop-in. Of course, you know that before you start, so you’ll plan your event in a way to resolve those potential barriers.
