Western wear pop-up at rodeos and fairs

Rodeo and fair visitors, riders and horse owners, and people who want western outfits for an event.

Direct sales at events at a markup over wholesale. Revenue is concentrated in event weekends, and you can also take orders for later delivery.

• Friendly face-to-face selling
• Boot and hat fitting
• Planning stock and event schedules

• Vendor fees and booth rules vary by event, check what is included before you book
• Sales tax collection at events differs by state, check with your state's revenue department
• Check whether events require proof of general liability insurance
• Weather, slow event days and unsold sizes can hurt cash flow
• You may need a vehicle or trailer to carry stock and display gear

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you carry, your display gear and whether you need a vehicle or trailer. A hand-picked, smaller range keeps your upfront spending lower.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many events you book, booth fees, the weather and how well your sizes sell. These are revenue estimates, not profit.

Check what vendor fees and booth rules apply to each event and what is included before you book. Ask your state's revenue department how to collect sales tax at events, and check whether events require proof of general liability insurance.