So You Want to Be a Vendor? Let’s Talk About It
People love the idea of being a vendor the cute setup, the creative displays, the customers shopping and smiling. What they don’t talk about is the early mornings, the car packed to the ceiling and the long hours standing on concrete trying to look alive while praying for sales.
Let’s keep it real. Vendor life can be rewarding, but it’s also work. If you want to do it right, there’s more to it than showing up with a table and a cute table cloth.
Preparation is everything
The magic happens long before market day. You can’t wait until the night before to start tagging products or printing signs.
You need:
- Clear pricing and consistent packaging
- A layout that looks good but functions well
- A plan for taking payments, handling change, and tracking sales
Also, pack early. Something always goes missing at the last minute, tape, your card reader, your entire pen stash, so save yourself the panic.
It’s not just about selling
Of course, you want to make money. But markets are also about visibility and connection. Sometimes the person who doesn’t buy today will become your best customer online later.
Talk to people. Hand out business cards. Take photos and videos for your social media. Every market is marketing content waiting to happen.
Expect the unexpected
There will be wind, rain, bugs, kids with sticky fingers, and someone who wants to haggle like it’s a yard sale. Stay calm. Smile. Protect your energy.
You’re representing your brand, and how you show up matters.
Know your numbers
Vendor fees, gas, supplies, food, time it all adds up. After each event, review your sales and expenses so you know whether that market was worth it.
Every event isn’t your audience and that’s okay. You’re collecting data, not defeat.
Give yourself grace
You might sell out. You might sell three things. Either way, you showed up and represented your brand in real life that’s major.
Every market teaches you something: what products stand out, what setups attract attention, what conversations convert.
Here’s the truth
Being a vendor is equal parts hustle and learning curve. It takes planning, confidence and stamina, but it also gives you something online sales can’t real, face-to-face connection.
So go in prepared, stay flexible and treat each event as a stepping stone, not a finish line.