By Louise James and the Easter Market Team · May 1, 2026
What began as Miko & Anna’s first exhibition at the Gold Reef City Easter Market became much more than a weekend of selling. It was a practical lesson in teamwork, confidence and the power of meeting customers face to face.
Team Louise joined the market on Saturday and Sunday, grateful for the opportunity to represent Miko & Anna and introduce more people to the quality, style and entrepreneurial possibilities behind the brand.
A slow start that built into real momentum
Saturday began quietly, but activity grew steadily as the day unfolded. Sales were modest at first, yet the conversations were energising. Visitors noticed the quality of the merchandise, asked questions and engaged with the team.
Sunday brought a completely different pace. The afternoon became so busy that every team member was helping a customer at once. The energy was high, the teamwork was instinctive and the market stall came alive.
“The team spirit was incredible. It gave us the chance to get to know one another, work alongside ambassadors from other groups and see what becomes possible when everyone shares one goal.”
Sales, commissions and a first recruit
Across the two market days, the team generated approximately R6,000 in sales. A further R2,000 in orders followed on Monday once customer funds had cleared.
The results mattered, but the milestones behind them mattered even more. Many members of Team Louise had joined only recently and made their first sales at the event. One Sales Ambassador received her first commission and was delighted to discover that she did not have to wait for it. Another customer later contacted a team member, placed her first order and became the team’s first recruit from the event.
For the newer ambassadors, the market transformed familiar training advice into lived experience. They saw that building a business involves more than posting a status and waiting for an order. It grows through conversations, trust, follow-up and genuine relationships.
What made the weekend work
- A strong location: The stall was positioned close to the casino entrance, making Miko & Anna one of the last vendors guests saw before entering and one of the first they visited on the way out.
- Seamless teamwork: Ambassadors moved between roles, relieved one another and kept the customer experience flowing.
- Consistent pricing: Standardised prices made selling simpler and helped the team respond to customers with confidence.
- Supportive hosts: Gold Reef City staff helped move stock to and from storage and checked in throughout the event.
Lessons for the next event
Every first exhibition creates useful lessons. The team identified a few practical improvements that can make future events even stronger:
- A portable card payment device to make checkout faster and build customer confidence.
- A trolley to move stock easily between the stall and storage areas.
- Branded gift bags so every purchase leaves the event looking polished and professional.
- A shared inventory sheet with quantities and prices for smoother handovers and stock control.
- A simple customer-interest form for people who want promotions, product information or details about joining the business.
These observations were offered in the spirit of growth. The first event proved that the model works; the next opportunity is to make the experience even easier for customers and ambassadors.
More than an exhibition
The Gold Reef City Easter Market gave Team Louise the chance to sell beautiful products, but its deeper value was in what the team discovered about themselves. New ambassadors gained confidence. Relationships became stronger. Training turned into action. Customers became supporters, and one became a new recruit.
Louise and the team extend their thanks to Ameeta and everyone who helped with the early logistics, stall planning and preparation; to Kerry-Lee for the practical guidance; to the Gold Reef City hosting staff for their generous support; and to Mooniba for trusting the team to represent Miko & Anna.
Here’s to more successful events, stronger teams and more women building businesses with confidence.
