Interview with Andrei, 10, about KEN Academy's Christmas sales fairs

Andrei is 10 years old and attends KEN Academy courses. Recently, he participated in a Christmas sales fair in the Bucharest Charles de Gaulle Plaza building, where he sold, together with his colleagues, handmade products and homemade sweets.

We interviewed him briefly and found out how he prepared for the fair and what are the most important things he learned.

Hi Andrei! What have you prepared today?

We have prepared a sale fair for the Holidays. We also had some sweets that we prepared especially for this period.

What did you think about when you organized the fair?

We had to think about the location, then we thought about what products we make, how we package them, what ingredients we need for each of them and how we organize ourselves by roles.

What roles did you have at the booth?

We were active vendors and booth vendors.

I've always been an active seller, because that's the way I like it, dynamic, I don't talk to customers, like at the stand.

How did you manage to attract the attention of customers?

You have to find something that is more special. The special thing about us is that we find a good name and come to customers with such confidence, being new kids. And naturally we attract their attention. Then we say that we also have a business and that we made the products with our own hands. They immediately take their eyes off their phone and stop whatever they were doing. And they are paying attention to us.

I'm starting to learn some techniques and I have some words to attract them.

Which are these?

It depends a lot on the context.

I always say, “Hi! We're called Christmas Elves,” with intonation to make the customer look at me and forget the rush.

Sometimes I can tell from his eyes if he wants to know more about me. I tell him that I am Andrei and what I have prepared.

What do you think is the hardest part about selling like this?

The hardest part is approaching a group of 5-10 people who haven't been paying close attention. I try to tackle them one by one, but it is very difficult to do so. When many people come to me, I don't have time to explain them all.

What is the most fun and easiest part?

It's when the client is captivated and really puts themselves in our shoes and understands how much we've worked for this event and we can have a dialogue just like we have with a friend. It's much harder to talk to a stranger than to talk to a friend.

What lesson do you leave home with after the event?

I need even more experience. Besides not always looking people in the eye, I need to be more aware of who to approach. I don't approach those who seem very rushed. The important thing is to be smiling and happy.

Can you leave us a final thought?

It was just really good. And I learned a lot.

Can you also leave us a thought for the KEN Academy kids who are just starting out?

Try to take examples from the elders. The example counts the most.