As the old sayings go…..When opportunities knock , open the door…Or , if you stay ready , you don’t have to get ready….Whatever…
Check out select CirculateMKE vendors at MAM Afterdark!! Special event alert! The August 16th theme is “NYC, funk & Hip Hop”. The night will include DJs, breakdance performances, an interactive mural and best of all, the dopest market in the city!!!! This event is from 7-11 and 21+ and free to museum members. – Bring ya pocket book!
These events are always super fun! If you have never been to a MAM Afterdark event , be ready for a party!! We have been asked to curate the Marketplace experience for over 1,000 guests and party goers – get ready!
All through the summer many makers and vendors are BUSY! It’s a time to get out into the community, set up shop and do business at different festivals, markets , fairs, events everywhere! We all love getting out, seeing everyone and supporting each other!
Take a sec, step into the mind of many makers during the busy summer: Can’t make them all. Deciding which event or audience to target, how to budget for fees and product, there are many things considered and overlooked. Utilizing booth space, trying a new presentation, did I remember to pack the sign in sheet……Thinking about pre-promotions and direct engagement during the event. Is my team available to work the crowd? Forecasting mentally the many price points and all of the ‘wheelin and dealin’ that just has to happen. Package deals, discounted exchanges, trades, it would be dope if could…..(fill in the blanks)
Managing the digital presence and getting creative trying to build a demand and popularity around something you are physically working on like jewelry or T Shirts that you screen print for example, is very consuming and it takes both sides of your brain essentially. Then, BOOM! You are no longer lost inside your detailed labor of love. Now you gotta get to know people and share stories in the real world of human interaction and your product or service offering goes through a different type of inspection and surveying. Under the hot sun, maybe a tent, maybe anticipating the finale of a passing rain storm, while you are next to all the other wonderful creative entrepreneurs in the marketplace. In that moment, just be.
Look around, take a sec, get into the minds of many makers. In the midst of all the business and busyness….Breathe in the inspiration, look at what it takes and how hard everyone is constantly going for their vision, feel the energy exchanging and reflect on what you contribute, not just how much money you made. You matter.
We are pleased to announce CirculateMKE will again participate in one of the most fun youth and family friendly events during the Milwaukee summer! TRUE Skool’s Block Party will again take place at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts Downtown Milwaukee outdoor on the Peck Pavilion!! Saturday July 27th from 11am-5pm people from all over Milwaukee get to enjoy a FREE & safe festival with live entertainment and arts. This is not a fest full of beer and booze , it’s on the riverwalk and very fun for kids!
Help us spread the word! Invite your friends!!
Interested in a space at TRUE Skool Block Party 7/27/19?
For many of us there is a blurry line between ‘work’ and ‘home’ . Many of us get our only time to work in or on our personal business, at home, after work,work. It can take a toll on some and it can be the best arrangement possible for others. It’s all about balance. Creative entrepreneurs that we work with respect family life and also respect the grind to the fullest. It’s real. It always feels good when the two connect and are in sync. This topic comes up often.
We want to know how you balance the two…. Is there a bed in your working space that you curl up in after a long night of making? Do you insist that your work studio and the comfort of your home NOT be on top of each other?? How do you manage the balance? Let’s talk about it.
Milwaukee can be a super cool place to explore on so many levels! Especially for the creatives. Especially since we are essentially breaking barriers and long standing social stigmas by consistently rotating with such a diverse core of vendors, shoppers and supporters. People always offer positive feedback about our unique location choices, understanding we want to keep the Circulate experience mobile, continuously increasing all of our city wide connections. Desegregating our dollars is no small notion… In the meantime, we are always on the lookout for perfect fitting potential venues in new areas as well as professional partnerships for future Market activations, special events and other Circulate moves. The demand for local products is evident in addition to the small business opportunities and awareness generated by supporting local makers and entrepreneurs around the city!
We would like your help! Yes! We have always asked our Circulate network for input and investment. It’s all win/win/win!
There are plenty of magical spaces and hidden jewels in each one of our beloved communities! Our team may be unaware and also there are different ideas and possibilities we would like to pursue with the right platform and collaborators! We love introducing our networks and community to different spots! The power of our network is in our communication and cooperation! Where to next? How can you become a part of this process? What’s the next move? Feel free to send us a link, email message to point us in the right direction! There will be several orgs and individuals offering info and resident and business resources. Promoting and connecting our collective efforts is important! Please keep us informed on how we can work together!
Questions? Email us circulatemke@gmail.com
As we continue to open up possibilities and set up whole #Circulatemke markets or events at several unlikely places…..Send a special thanks and shout out to some of our recent Circulate venues = Just a few, check’em out & support:
So much happens in-between our Circulate Markets….. We usually do our every other month cooperative economic convening with a few special events and have followed our pattern since we started in 2015. The demand for Circulate is real, we have to admit. The respect for our mission and motives is also real. We have great relationships that keep us connected to everything moving! People have been asking/suggesting that we produce Circulate monthly, we are also constantly cross coordinating and communicating with other local market promoters and vendors about smart scheduling and supporting one another. The circulation never stops! So much behind the scenes action, we are working on sharing some of that soon too…You never know what’s next!
For now, The wait is over, that’s right! Our next Circulate MKE Creative Entrepreneur Market will be Saturday April 27th, 11am-5pm
We are honored to host our Feb 10th Market inside of Milwaukee’s gems; Walker’s Point Center for the Arts!!
There is a super powerful exhibit currently up at the gallery , so you will get a special visual treat when you come to support your favorite CirculateMKE Creative Entrepreneurs!! Here is some brief info about the artists and striking exhibit featured:
Tierra Herida: Printmaking from the Americas is a panorama of contemporary printmaking in the Americas—46 artists from 20 countries explore the theme of mining from colonial times to the present. This exhibit was curated by Alec Dempster.
To raise awareness and generate discussion around the theme artist from all over the Americas have created work on the theme of mining from their local and personal perspectives. The result is a graphic map of the current situation through contemporary printmaking. MAKE SURE YOU COME CHECK IT OUT!!
Always a good ever evolving conversation. Sometimes difficult.
We have surveyed our Circulate vendors & We have asked certain customers about their experience at the markets – sometimes we get very interesting feedback. More often we don’t have to seek out any feedback, people generally offer it quite openly and honestly. One of the things are always paying attention to is feedback about pricing. Now there’s checks and balances in the consumer experience and expectancy at mutually any exchange of money and goods for that matter. Entrepreneurs have to calculate many factors in preparation for the marketplace.
Don’t overprice or undersell yourself.
Some people are surprised when they encounter vendor’s prices are more than reasonable or we have heard the opposite and shoppers are confused and disappointed because something nice seems way overpriced….
There is a lot to consider when it comes to pricing hand made or custom made items, art work, craft work and even services. Keep in mind the love that customers can develop with a business when they feel like they are getting their money’s worth and also a great personalized experience. You can make your customers feel like their getting a deal everytime!
Makers and vendors who put in countless hours perfecting their creative processes and products are often lowering their profit margins and sliding prices simply due to what/how people are trained to (not) spend outside of big box stores and shopping malls. There is an opportunity to educate yourself as well as your customers.
For us, It’s simple math, we have to keep adding value to our entire Circulate Market network in order to multiply more economic trade, exchange and cooperation. The perceptions are already shifting and you can see that by the sheer number of community based market spaces popping up. It’s always a good things when our collective dollars are circulating!
Yes, stay tuned for more info about pricing and best marketplace practices!
You know whats awesome? Our vendors are. We have the honor of serving some of the best makers and entrepreneurs in Milwaukee!! We are extremely thankful to everyone who has helped to spread the word and offer our opportunities to new vendors/ extending our family!! The next Market date is Feb. 10th and the FB event is live so please also feel free to invite your friends! We are also getting some print flyers to vendors who request them so they can pass out promotional materials during their business travels and social exchanges. We all work together to make sure the circle is growing stronger and stronger!
