How to start selling at Farmers Markets on a budget.
How to start selling at Farmers Markets On a Budget
If you have ever asked yourself how to make a few extra bucks, share your art with the world, or start your own business without taking out a huge loan, this is how we started. This is by not the only way, it is however the way we have done it without taking any loans and bootstrapping our business with one full time income. We hope this helps anyone else who has a dream but may not believe that they can achieve it. Trust me, if we have been able to do this, anyone with drive and a goal can too.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Figure out what you want to sell. Is there a need for it in your area? How about if it is something that is a one-time purchase or a consumable? Is it something that you can make and maintain an acceptable profit margin? The biggest thing is, do you ENJOY making and selling it? Finally, actually make and test it if you have not made it before.
Check any local regulations for any product you plan to market. This includes squaring away taxes, business insurance, learning about any FDA guidelines, or industry specific regulations.
We make soap and skincare goods, so we had to follow strict labeling requirements as laid out by the FDA. More information can be found at :
We registered for TPT (Transaction Privilege Tax). While it irks us to have to pay for the “privilege” to collect sales tax, we also are running a business and have no desire to potentially tangle with the IRS.
Get insurance. Period. All it takes is one litigious customer who can ruin your life.
Get a business license, this may vary state to state or city to city. Again, the nickel and diming takes a real toll on small business, however fines are worse.
Congratulations, you are now ready to start investigating local markets. Now, many of these do have a vendor fee of varying amounts. These absolutely eat into profits and may demoralize you at first. Keep in mind, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Our recommendation, though we do not always follow this ourselves, is to attend them as customers first. Pay attention to what folks are buying, what is being sold, what’s the foot traffic, what’s the bathroom situation (seriously, you will be spending hours at these markets.), are the other vendors pleasant, and expressing positive feelings about the market?
Things to ask the market director if they are there include;
Size of tents allowed
Amounts of weights required per leg of tent
Tent awning color restrictions
How unloading is handled
If there are deals on multiple bookings
Any specific rules or regulations unique to their market
If they would accept your product
What is the market saturation of your product. It doesn’t matter as much, but it will affect you if you are unable to make your product stand out.
Once you have your information and an idea of where you want to start, it’s time to get the tools of your trade. Namely a canopy, table(s), chairs, cash box, POS device (despite the acronym they work well, also known as a point of sale device) for credit cards, and your product. It really does not take more than this to get started. Here is what we started with and our experience so far with them.
Canopy: We started with a simple 8x8 EZ-up tent off Amazon. We still use it from time to time. It is easy for my wife to set up and move solo, even with some physical limitations. If you live in an area where the sun wants to kill you (AZ for us) wear a hat even when under it. Even if they claim UV resistance, we have both been red after a 100-degree sunny day under it. These are not extremely well made, but they absolutely allow you to get started with minimal investment. If you have the room in your vehicle, a 10x10 is better and you will likely get one down the road anyways, plus they do not cost much more. (~$100)
Table: Depending on how much product you have, start small. One table with a full display looks better than two or three sparse ones. We started with a 5-footer, from Walmart. It is nothing fancy, but it does not have to be. The only issue we have had is the folding lock has never worked on ours. A way to make your table stand out a bit more is a fitted tablecloth. We went with colors we like and learned very quickly that even though designed to stretch over the table legs, that is the fastest way to rip and destroy them. Also, if you have a 5-foot table just get a 6-foot tablecloth, you can get two packs, in case you get a 6-footer down the road. They will fit the 5-footer just fine. At this point we pull them over the table and let them dangle down, without slipping the table legs into their pockets. (~$40 table, $~17 for the tablecloth)
Any camp chair will work just fine, go with what is comfortable for you. For us it was again Walmart’s exquisite low price offering that we went with. (~30)
Displays we made from free pallet wood. I disassembled them and built small shelving units to hold our soaps. It does not have to be fancy, so try not to get too hung up on the details. You are just starting and need something to take advantage of vertical space (you may not even need this). There are a million ways to design displays, start with whatever you are comfortable with.
POS we used Squares free device to start. We have moved to Shopify’s system since we launched our own website.
The biggest thing to bring will be a cheery, engaging demeanor. Greeting people walking by, engage in small talk, and treating folks like you would want to be. It is not rocket science, but it can be daunting. It is ok to be there to sell, it is why you started. This has been our greatest struggle, one we are still trying to overcome and perfect every day. Stay off your phone, no one wants to buy from the top of your head.
Things to get once you start making sales that make life a little nicer.
Cash box.
Another table or two.
Banner with company name and URL to website/social media.
Sandwich board again branded with URL link.
Business cards.
Booth decorations to stand out
These are the initial steps we took to start selling our soap and skincare at the local farmers markets here in Tucson, Arizona. We do not claim to be experts, what we are is a couple who had a dream and have been fighting every day to make that into reality. You too have more ability, drive, creativity, and talent than you give yourself credit for. Please strive every day to embrace a little discomfort, that is what causes us all to grow. Some of the kindest most amazing people we have met so far have been vendors at these markets, also trying to chase a dream. It is normal to be nervous, afraid, or downright doubtful of your abilities. Choose to be abnormal in how you deal with these feelings, strive to do something just because it is hard or scary. Comfort is the enemy of progress, everyone reading this has the ability to start their own business if they take their time, do their research, and above all embrace their doubts. It takes time, and it does take work, a lot of work. The reward however of seeing someone buy what you or someone you love dearly created is beyond words. I hope this short blog was useful, either in steps to take or tips that you may not have thought of. If you are in the market for some handmade soap or skincare products made with high quality ingredients and priced fairly, please check out our website at www.herbandesert.com
We hope this helps someone to go out and create their dream. Thank you for reading, and God Bless.
