African goods market stall

Local African and Caribbean communities, festival visitors, and shoppers looking for gifts, fabrics or unique items.

You sell directly at a markup over wholesale cost, with sales concentrated on market days and event weekends. Repeat customers can place orders by message between events.

• Sourcing products
• Friendly selling and display
• Handling cash and card payments
• Planning stock for each event

• Check your state's seller's permit or sales tax registration, since many markets require it
• Check with your city or county about vendor or business license requirements for markets
• Packaged food often has labeling rules and may need a health department permit, so check before selling it
• Weather, slow event days and vendor fees can make income uneven
• General liability insurance, which many markets require vendors to carry

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your stock, stall setup and the events you choose. These are estimates, and vendor fees at markets can vary.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on the events you attend, your products and the weather. Income can be uneven, and the estimate assumes at least about 8 hours per week.

Check your state's seller's permit or sales tax registration, your city or county's vendor or business license rules, and labeling rules or health department permits for packaged food. Also check the insurance many markets require.