Author: Rhonni

Rhonni is a blissciplined serial entrepreneur, who has crafted a life in which she is surrounded by people who do what they love. She curates http://festivalprose.com and you can see the internet version of her business card at fools-cap.com.

Summer Job Lady

This post originally appeared on my personal blog, but just this week I was having a conversation with a Crafter about hiring good help, and the choice to become a mentor. Many many people have their first job experience at an outdoor festival or theme park. It is something we need to remember as the… Continue reading Summer Job Lady

Compostables

I’ve been in conversations recently about zero-waste goals for outdoor events. It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and there are multiple benefits … but there is a learning curve. This article first appeared in my personal blog. I’m bringing it out here, as it will have a greater probabilility of reaching those who need… Continue reading Compostables

Park Design Considerations, When Vendors are Also Investors

While I believe it differs little from a shopping mall lease agreement, the agreement between Vendors and Renaissance Festival Management involves the Vendor building and maintaining a structure on the Festival’s property, then paying a show fee to vend from that building during the event. (Mall leases involve Lessors paying for their own “build-out”; then… Continue reading Park Design Considerations, When Vendors are Also Investors

Recognizing Your Customers and Avoiding the Fail

Some of the worst Customer Service failures occur when a worker isn’t able to recognize who their customer is. In a well-run commercial kitchen, each station has a different customer. Yes, the Guest is everyone’s customer, but in order for that Guest to have an optimum experience, the entire team has to function at its… Continue reading Recognizing Your Customers and Avoiding the Fail

Thrift Shop Parody: Renaissance Festival by Julian Bemi

Okay, no business advice this week, other than “Utilize your resources when they are available.” As nomads in the festival business, each show can have a specific circle of talented neighbors. Here is a great example of just that in action. Our friend Julia, with some help from friends, put together this Fabulous parody video… Continue reading Thrift Shop Parody: Renaissance Festival by Julian Bemi

The 9 Most Common Problems in the Renaissance Faire Building Industry

AKA, The Harsh Conversation I had with a Young Carpenter. The dynamics of the Vendor/Builder/Festival Management matrix are complex, and there are many places where the deal can go wrong for one or more of the parties. All three legs must be considered for this table to stand. On the one hand, talented carpenters get… Continue reading The 9 Most Common Problems in the Renaissance Faire Building Industry

How to Grow a Festival, Part Two

In part one of this conversation, I mentioned that because a festival is an experience, it is the responsibility of the participants at a festival to help create real growth. But what about those shows where the participants are doing everything they can, but the Festival Management drops the ball? It happens. Someone doesn’t order… Continue reading How to Grow a Festival, Part Two

How to Grow a Festival (part one)

What is it that makes festivals work? We like to throw the responsibility onto the Promotions and Marketing Departments, but a festival is an experience. Real growth in a festival is the responsibility of everyone involved. A couple of business truisms should be considered here: 1. It is easier to sell to existing customers. However… Continue reading How to Grow a Festival (part one)