Novelty gift booth at markets and fairs

Browsing families, teens, tourists and gift shoppers who buy on impulse.

Many small sales at a markup on items bought wholesale. Booth fees are your main running cost, so busy events and seasonal items matter.

• Friendly selling and chatting with strangers
• Eye-catching display setup
• Handling cash and card payments

• Check whether your state requires a seller's permit or sales tax registration for in-person sales
• Check event rules and any city or county vendor license requirements
• General liability insurance is often required by event organizers
• Weather, slow events and booth fees can make some days unprofitable

Startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your stock, booth display and equipment, and payment setup. These are estimates, so begin with a modest range of low-priced items.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,500, depending on the events you attend, your products and your pricing. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and slow events or weather can affect results.

Check whether your state requires a seller's permit or sales tax registration for in-person sales. Also check event rules and city or county vendor license requirements, and look into general liability insurance, which organizers often ask for.