Just for you dad...

So, my dad said he wanted to see a picture of me in front of the tent. Well, this isn't in front of the tent, but I am holding a big freakin' firework. Does that work dad? haha

Southern Hospitality

there is no typical fireworks customer

We have met many people in our three days of fireworks sales so far. People from all social classes, races, ethnicities and various levels of what I call "cajun-ness". So far, they have all been cordial and polite, besides a jerk that pulled up in a Hummer and bought $30 worth of fireworks and acted like a pompous ass, haha. Overall we've seen several different types of customers.

The "grab and dash" customers. These people might not buy the big ticket items, but they rush into the tent like a whirlwind, grab two or three baskets and fill them full of snappers, snakes, roman candles, cones and small cakes. Besides the time it takes to ring up their orders, we love these people. They have all been really fun, friendly families and most of them end up spending quite a bit because they will come back and fill up baskets several times.

The "big ticket" customers. It doesn't matter what type of vehicle they arrive in, if they walk straight over to the large artillery shell packs or the 500 gram cakes, we know they want the big boom and they are willing to pay a big price. We LOVE these customers as well. Usually, to sweeten the deal and get them to come buy more, we throw in a few free items for them. So far it has worked.

There are more types, but these are the two most prominent ones.

Besides our customers, I have been introduced to Nick, a boy that has helped Jared for the 5 years he has operated a tent in Jackson. Nick is not unlike the young men we see in Kansas, except for the thick Louisiana accent. He pretty much dresses head to toe in Camo, has long stringy hair underneath his hat (I swear there is a mullet under there but Jared disagrees) and he talks about hunting, catching gators with his bare hands and his brother's new wife that he can't stand. You just have to laugh at his far-fetched stories, but he is an all-around nice guy who has definately shown us what "southern hospitality" is all about. On Christmas, he brought us a home-cooked meal including turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls and pie. It was awesome! Today he brought us some soup with deer sausage (i've never had deer sausage, but I am sure it is good). And, later this week he said he is going to bring us chili. YUM.

So, while it is a wet, rainy day with little sales, Nick brightens our day with home-cooked Louisiana food and a few stories about catching gators. What else do we need?

Some photos from Louisiana

Here is our tent. It is right off of US-61 Hwy outside of Jackson.

I'll post more pictures later... this internet is sooooo slow.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

This one is my favorite... you should buy this!

there is an art to selling fireworks... it's called BULL-SHITTING

I have come realize that Jared is a pretty good salesman! He can wheel and deal fireworks extremely well. Probably because he has been doing this job for so long... but it is fun to watch him. I am not quite as versed in the product as he is, although I have surprised myself at just how much I DO know about fireworks.

Besides watching Jared sell today, it has been a pretty easy day - setting up displays and picking up the tent. I even got to shower at a truck stop for the first time! YIPEEE!!!!! Actually it wasn't too bad... better than some hotels I have stayed in! haha. But it was sooo nice to get a hot shower, do my hair and look pretty. Then I battled the Wal-Mart in Zachary to get a few things. WOW... I forgot how crazy it is before Christmas... it was sooooo busy! And, I have got the camper cleaned up and it is actually not to bad! Our air mattress is even surprisingly comfortable!

So, things have been easy today... but we haven't even came close to busy yet. Jared said on the 31st we will be lucky to even look up from our registers! I can handle that... I worked retail... I know what that is like. What I can't handle is all the physical labor, haha, not used to that with my "desk" job! And you know what? Jared isn't giving me any slack either! He makes me work hard :) Oh well, it is good for me!

The adventure has officially begun

hard work never killed anyone, but I'd rather not do it

So, I made it to Jackson, La. without any issues. I was actually quite surprised that I was able to drive 12 hours straight through to get here. It freaked my mom out! But, I did it!

But, I have come to find out in the last 12 hours that driving here was the EASY part (even though I found myself in a few questionable convenience stores on the way).

We arrive at our location just in time to unload a Ryder FULL of product. (NOTE: Jared told me that by the time I arrived in Louisiana the tent would already be set up) YEAH RIGHT! He had to help with other locations, so ours wasn't even close being ready.

I had mentally prepared myself for this journey. I knew it would be hard work and it would test me. And I knew that it would be an experience that I would never forget. But when I cut my finger on a box knife opening the first box of Snappers, got the car stuck in rocks and walking into our camper that smelled from the last people that used it... I started to wonder if I would survive this trip to Louisiana. :) Jared started to wonder too! But, I worked hard all afternoon setting up displays and I have to say... they look damn good!

But, my spirits are high and I can't wait to get everything set up and start making money!

Boom, Bang, Crackle... I'm off to Louisiana

i just want to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Years

I will be leaving tomorrow to meet up with Jared in Louisiana to begin our fireworks adventure.
I am taking a computer with me and will try to get an internet connection, but who knows if that will be successful. :) So you may, or may not hear something out of me for a while, but if I can get on here I will try to post some pictures and let you know how everything is going.

So, goodbye for now...

I am off to spend my first Christmas

and New Years with Jared!

YIPEEEE!