Hobby stall at markets and conventions

Event visitors, collectors, families looking for gifts and crafters who like to browse in person.

Retail sales at each event, with a markup over wholesale. Pre-orders and an email list can bring repeat sales between events.

• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Packing and setting up a display
• Knowing your products well
• Planning an events calendar

• Stall fees, travel costs and slow event days can cancel out profit, so track results for each event
• Check whether each market or municipality requires a vendor permit or business licence
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many events require as proof
• Outdoor events depend on weather, and winter limits the season, so look for indoor shows
• Collect GST/HST once registered and check provincial sales tax rules for in-person sales

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your opening stock, display equipment and event fees. These are estimates, so track results for each event, since stall fees and travel can cancel out profit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many events you attend, your product range and the crowds. These are estimates, not guarantees, and weather and winter can limit the season.

Check whether each market or municipality requires a vendor permit or business licence, and whether events require commercial general liability insurance as proof. Also collect GST/HST once registered and check provincial sales tax rules for in-person sales.