What to record after your first pottery fair

Separate revenue, included costs and useful observations.

Reconcile stock first

Opening stock minus sold units, breakage and other recorded removals should match closing stock. Resolve unexplained differences while you still remember the day.

Calculate the result you actually measured

Begin with receipts and consistent adjustments. Subtract included variable costs for sold items and event fixed costs. Label any labor, overhead or other costs you have not included. Revenue alone is not profit.

Keep questions separate from orders

A repeated request may suggest something to explore. It is not the same as a paid order. Keep anonymous notes about patterns without turning every compliment into a demand estimate.

Change one thing

Choose one supported next experiment: clearer labels, a different display grouping or a better wrapping station. Write down what evidence would make you keep that change.

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The paid workbook includes a complete fictional calculation and reusable stock, sales and review sheets.