A local La Ronge vendor has found a way to reach potential clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melanie Potts, who sells children’s toys outside her hours as a teacher, said she decided to set up an online vendor tradeshow after pandemic restrictions made it impossible to hold an in-person market.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic happening, people can’t have vendor fairs,” Potts said. “So I thought, well if we run one online for the community then people can kind of support locally and see what La Ronge and area has to offer.”
She said she also decided to do this after finding it difficult to reach potential clients.
“It was kind of challenging to get out there to people who don’t know me, so that’s why I had to think of a new way to reach new people.”
The market is being held for one week on Facebook, ending on Sunday. Three vendors daily are able to make 12 posts each during their specific timeslots showcasing their products. There are 21 vendors.
Each vendor is giving away one prize to people who comment on their posts or buy a product from them. Potts said this replaces door prizes that usually happen at in-person markets.
Potts said she’s received more messages from other local vendors who want to have the market happen again.
“Initially it was just going to be a one-time thing but because I’ve had so many other people comment about it, I think this could be something that could carry on.”
(Photo courtesy of Facebook)