Cadence
Pop-up run sheet
Keep your Worcester or Tembisa pop-up running with timed slots, real owners and quick pivots for load-shedding or public holidays.
Ask about cadences
When to use this cadence card
If you’re running a weekend pop-up, market stall or activation in busy spots like Tembisa Plaza or Worcester’s High Street, this card’s your secret weapon. It’s built for Friday afternoon set-up to Sunday pack-up, and works well for short, focused teams, think under five people. Whether you’re selling handmade veldkos, custom sneakers, or coffins (like Mbali’s Baskets and Burial near Zwelethemba), everyone knows their slots. For extra prep tips, see our FAQ for SME starters.
Timed slots: A sample run sheet
Structure your pop-up rhythm in clear, practical slots. Allocate each slot to a named person, not just 'team', this keeps things personal and accountable. Here’s the standard sequence. Adjust the times if your venue opens late or closes early, or if Friday traffic between Tembisa and Midrand holds you up.
- Friday 13:00-15:00: Stock-out and load (Bongiwe, owner)
- Friday 16:00-18:00: Transport and set-up (Fikile, driver)
- Saturday 08:00-09:00: Stall prep and morning brief (Jabu, sales)
- Saturday 09:00-17:00: Trading in shifts (Sibongile 9-13h, Thabo 13-17h)
- Saturday 17:00-18:00: Cash-up and lock-up (owner)
- Sunday 08:00-09:00: Opening checks (Sam, cleaner)
- Sunday 09:00-15:00: Trading (Jabu, Sibongile, Thabo in rotation)
- Sunday 15:00-16:00: Pack-up and loading (Everyone, but owner signs off)
- Sunday 17:00: Stock count and return (owner)
How it flexes for local realities
Load-shedding stage 5 on a Saturday afternoon? Shift your cash-up earlier, or use manual cheques and Zapper instead of card readers. For Worcester markets, pack a charged power bank and a solar lantern, you know the Eskom schedule jumps around. If a public holiday falls on your Sunday, many shopping centres run shorter hours (e.g. closing at 14:00, not 16:00), so rework your slots then. Always check the local municipal WhatsApp group for updates, or your landlord’s SMS. If your stall is on a taxi route like Tembisa’s Andrew Mapheto Drive, allow extra time for mid-afternoon load-out, taxis get full around 16:30. Don’t leave valuables till last minute, itn’s bitten many before.
Filled-in example: Tembisa Sneaker Stand
Last month, Sibusiso from Tembisa Sneaker Stand used this cadence to run a pop-up in Birch Acres Mall. His crew of four used the run sheet to keep everyone honest and in the right place. Friday, Bongiwe loaded stock at 14:00 sharp, and Fikile handled the bakkie and set-up even after a Highveld storm blew through at 17:30. Saturday, they took turns at the counter every four hours, with Jabu handling the lunchtime rush. Sunday’s load-shedding meant they switched to cash sales at 13:00 and packed up by 15:30 (Birch Acres security was closing early). This cadence helped them keep things calm, match sales to slot owners and get home before the storms. Find other simple rhythms for your team over on our cadence collection.
Keep it printable and ready
Print your card before you’re on site, one A4 copy for the till, one for your car or bakkie. Use pen or pencil so last-minute changes are easy. Everyone involved must see who’s got which slot and who to call if someone’s missing. For more starter tools (like the Launch Deck or resource pack), check our kits for owner-run teams and set up your pop-up confidently even if it’s your first time. If your ops need get complicated, learn about our support approach on the about page.
