Music box market stall

Market visitors, tourists and seasonal gift shoppers, especially around the holidays.

Direct product sales at a mark-up on your cost. Income is lumpy and busiest in the run-up to Christmas, Mother's Day and wedding season.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Display and merchandising
• Handling cash and card payments

• Markets often have booth fees, application deadlines and juried selection, so check early
• Check whether your municipality or the market requires a vendor permit
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Commercial general liability insurance is often required by market organizers
• Outdoor winter markets mean cold, and fragile stock needs safe transport and storage
• Income is seasonal, so plan cash for quieter months

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $7,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your display setup and the markets you choose. Treat this as a rough estimate and price your own stock list before committing.

Check whether your municipality or the market requires a vendor permit, and whether organizers ask for commercial general liability insurance. Also check booth fees, application deadlines and juried selection, plus GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on which markets you attend, your stock and the time of year. Income is seasonal, so plan cash for quieter months. This is revenue, not profit.