Overview
This was a day that all of us had been eagerly waiting for. The ground floor of the BOC Merchant Tower was filled with more than ten stalls, each bringing joy, laughter, and excitement. Our group organized a stall under the name “දුන්නම කන්නම් කාල දුවන්නම්” to raise funds for our CSR project. Around 12:30 p.m., the stalls were opened to the public. At that time, we were still finalizing the preparation of our juice, but we managed to complete it just in time. It turned out to be a long but rewarding day of selling the products displayed at our table.
At the start, our Achcharu varieties were the most popular items, and we were delighted with the sales. Meanwhile, some of the other items such as potato chips and smoothies were not selling much, which became a lighthearted joke among us. However, about half an hour later, the trend reversed, and only a few less-attractive Achcharu varieties were left, while the chips and drinks started selling rapidly. By the end of the day, we earned a net profit of over LKR 9,000 after deducting all expenses, including transportation. This experience also taught us the value of teamwork, planning, and dedication when organizing an event for a meaningful cause.
My Roles & Responsibilities
On that day, I was responsible for several important tasks:
- Handling potato chips: On the morning of the event, I went to Pettah to purchase the potato chips required for our stall.
- Buying accessories: Together with Asith, I was in charge of purchasing all accessories such as juice cups, toothpicks, shopping bags, paper serviettes, plates, and other utilities. We bought these two days prior to the event and stored them at a friend’s boarding place.
- Recording sales: I maintained an Excel sheet to track how many items were sold in each category and calculated the earnings from each product.
- Promoting sales: I also engaged with visitors, encouraging them to check out our stall, which helped boost our overall sales and profit.
Financial Outcome
- Total Revenue: Rs. 26,000/=
- Total Expenses: Rs. 16,820/=
- Net Profit: Rs. 9,180/=
Even though the profit was slightly below our target of Rs.10,000, the stall was still a financial success. The highest sales were generated from Achcharu and Smoothies, which became the most popular items among customers.
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What I Learned
Participating in the Food Festival gave me valuable lessons that go beyond the classroom. I experienced the importance of teamwork, as our success depended on everyone contributing their part and supporting one another throughout the day. I also realized the value of time management, working under pressure and completing tasks on time was essential, especially when we were not fully ready at the moment the stalls opened.
Another key takeaway was the importance of planning ahead. By preparing early such as purchasing accessories and organizing responsibilities we were able to reduce last-minute stress and run the stall smoothly. Finally, I learned that handling sales and interacting with customers requires confidence, communication, and adaptability, which are skills that will be useful for my professional growth.
Captured Moments
