[dance4kryst]

Hello! I'm a newbie to the business, and I have my first big event at a dance studio where I will be the only tshirt vendor. I will be selling customized rhinestone apparel with my heat press on site. I am about to invest a pretty penny to have what I need. Family and friends (not in the business) tell me I should have some kind of contract with the studio in order to protect my investment. (they could cancel on me at the last minute...etc) Has anyone ever done a contract like this or know what should be included? If you have a template that would be awesome! Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Blessings,
Dance4kryst

 

[splathead]

Are you paying for your space? Events can be cancelled. You are looking to just get your rental fee back?

 

[dazzabling]

What is your investment based on? Is the studio offering to pay for anything or do you need to pay for anything besides your supplies?

 

[dance4kryst]

Hello! I'm a newbie to the business, and I have my first big event at a dance studio where I will be the only tshirt vendor. I will be selling customized rhinestone apparel with my heat press on site. I am about to invest a pretty penny to have what I need. Family and friends (not in the business) tell me I should have some kind of contract with the studio in order to protect my investment. (they could cancel on me at the last minute...etc) Has anyone ever done a contract like this or know what should be included? If you have a template that would be awesome! Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Blessings,
Dance4kryst

I didn't have to pay a rental fee. I was invited to come sell at their annual open house. My only investment will be supplies. I never would have thought about having a contract, but people who are not in the tshirt business keep telling me I should have one. I'm not so sure about that, but I do want to do what is needed to protect myself. Thanks!

 

[dazzabling]

Being invited to do an event I am sure the studio isn't expecting to have a contract with you. What are you wanting the studio to give you as "protection to your investment"?

Are you making 1 of kind event shirts?
Are you making transfers that can't be resold ever?
Are you buying equipment that you can't reuse?

You also keep mentioning people are telling you to do something and they aren't in the business I don't know why this is significant because they aren't putting money into it are they?

 

[dance4kryst]

Being invited to do an event I am sure the studio isn't expecting to have a contract with you. What are you wanting the studio to give you as "protection to your investment"?

Are you making 1 of kind event shirts?
Are you making transfers that can't be resold ever?
Are you buying equipment that you can't reuse?

You also keep mentioning people are telling you to do something and they aren't in the business I don't know why this is significant because they aren't putting money into it are they?

My point exactly. Since this is a new business venture for me, I am getting a lot of unsolicited advice from family with good intentions. I am using my own money, and if it gets canceled, I'll just try to sell somewhere else. I did not and still do not believe that I need a contract. I am very happy to just be invited! I just wanted to get the advice from someone in the business just to make sure I am not approaching things the wrong way. I plan to only make one of a kind designs for the school if they ask, and pay a deposit up front. Thanks for confirming what I already thought.
blessings,
dance4kryst

 

[Louie2010]

IMO if you ask them to sign a contract you will look a little in over your head and unprofessional. Because of that there is a good chance they could dis-invite you as a result

I also don't see what you are doing as a big risk. Sure you have some expense in supplies and that is all part of doing business.

You will need to get used to and be comfortable with a certain amount of risk for reward if you are going to be successful being self employed. Might as well start now

Good luck, I hope it goes well.

 

[dazzabling]

Also, think of it this way if you ask to do a contract they may in turn want a percentage of your sales for the event. This could open up a can of worms, don't over spend but don't sell your self short.

If you run out you run out (less to take home) but you don't want to sell out too soon. Just make sure you have order forms ready just because you don't have it there doesn't mean you can't have it later, have more than enough business cards..always have a small something to give away.

Do not make promises. Bring someone with you to field questions, pack up orders and understands your business you will have to be in 3-4 places at once especially if this is something new to the event.
Bring your own trash can, I can't stress this enough I forgot my trash can one year and it was a pain.
Scissors, pens and a stapler will be your buddies keep them close.

good luck!!

 

[splathead]

Events get cancelled all the time for various reasons. It's unreasonable to expect someone to pay your expenses in the event of cancellation when they're letting you vend at the event for free.

 

[binki]

If you feel you need contract then you do need some sort of written contract that would state some basics:

Days you will be there, is it continuous or a limited time
Exclusive vendor there, are there other vendors there
Notice of cancellation, how much notice and under what circumstances
Will there be any damages if either side doesn't live up to their end of the agreement
What are your responsibilities, what are theirs

From what you described I would be on the fence on this one. Things can get ugly if there is a mis-understanding.

We have done two agreements like you describe and both ended badly. The first was us purchasing time at local high school sporting events through a radio station. They never got written permission from CIF and got blocked out of the playoffs. After much back and forth they paid us back part of the fee but it was a bust for us. The second was a unique product that we were selling retail and found out the mfg was undercutting us and taking our retail customers. The lesson here is you can never imagine all the bad things that could go wrong in this relationship.

 

[dance4kryst]

IMO if you ask them to sign a contract you will look a little in over your head and unprofessional. Because of that there is a good chance they could dis-invite you as a result

I also don't see what you are doing as a big risk. Sure you have some expense in supplies and that is all part of doing business.

You will need to get used to and be comfortable with a certain amount of risk for reward if you are going to be successful being self employed. Might as well start now

Good luck, I hope it goes well.

I totally agree. Thanks so much!

 

[dance4kryst]

Also, think of it this way if you ask to do a contract they may in turn want a percentage of your sales for the event. This could open up a can of worms, don't over spend but don't sell your self short.

If you run out you run out (less to take home) but you don't want to sell out too soon. Just make sure you have order forms ready just because you don't have it there doesn't mean you can't have it later, have more than enough business cards..always have a small something to give away.

Do not make promises. Bring someone with you to field questions, pack up orders and understands your business you will have to be in 3-4 places at once especially if this is something new to the event.
Bring your own trash can, I can't stress this enough I forgot my trash can one year and it was a pain.
Scissors, pens and a stapler will be your buddies keep them close.

good luck!!

Agreed! Thanks for the advice! I would have never thought about taking a trash can!

 

[dance4kryst]

Events get cancelled all the time for various reasons. It's unreasonable to expect someone to pay your expenses in the event of cancellation when they're letting you vend at the event for free.

My thoughts exactly. That's just a part of the business. I can always sell it elsewhere if they cancel. Thanks!

 

[Louie2010]

I totally agree. Thanks so much!

Your welcome. Let us know how it goes.