Craft fair and market booth seller

Shoppers browsing local events, tourists and gift buyers who like to meet the maker and buy something unique on the spot.

Direct sales at your price, minus booth fees, materials and travel. Events with strong foot traffic and a good seasonal fit (like holiday markets) tend to do best, and you can add online orders from customers you meet.

• Making or sourcing appealing handmade goods
• Eye-catching display and pricing
• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Planning stock and event schedules

• Sales tax: check your state's rules for a seller's permit and whether some events collect or require it
• Many events require general liability insurance, so check each organizer's requirements
• Some events are juried, and some only accept items you made yourself, so read the rules
• Weather, slow events and booth fees can mean an unprofitable day, so start small
• Check whether food items, candles or skincare need extra permits or labeling in your state

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your stock, tent or table, display items and booth fees. These are estimates, so start small and test a few events before buying much inventory.

Things to check include your state's seller's permit and whether events collect or require it, each organizer's general liability insurance requirements, juried or made-by-you rules, and extra permits or labeling for food, candles or skincare.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on the events you attend, your products and pricing. That is an estimate only, and weather, slow events and booth fees can mean an unprofitable day.