If you’ve ever seen a vendor unloading what looks like half their house out of a car at 7am, hi, it’s probably me. 🚗
After vending at markets for over five years, I’ve learned that being prepared can truly make or break a market day. While my booth may look calm, cute, and curated once it’s set up, behind the scenes I’m basically Mary Poppins with a pink wagon, and yes… a hammer. 🔨
Today I’m opening up my bins and sharing what’s in my market kit - the stuff I bring no matter the size of the show, the weather, or the setup.
The non-negotiables
These are the items that always come with me. Forgetting any of these usually results in an immediate spike in my stress level.
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Tables (plural — learned that lesson early on)
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Tablecloths
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Clear signage with pricing
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Square reader + backup battery
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Cash box with small bills - even in 2026, cash still shows up!!
Display pieces that earn their keep
Over the years, I’ve learned that your display matters just as much as your product. People really do shop with their eyes first!
Some of my must-haves:
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Tiered risers/shelves for height (vertical space is your best friend, especially at busy markets)
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Baskets and bins to keep things tidy
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Clips, hooks, and stands for signage
The “why do you have that?” box
This is where my kit starts to look a little unhinged... but trust me, it’s practical. 🤣
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Hammer
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Zip ties
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Extra weights (because wind is no joke)
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Tape (always more tape than you think)
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Scissors
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Sharpies
You won’t need these every time, but the one time you do and don’t have them? You’ll never forget again.
Comfort + survival supplies
Vending is an endurance sport. These items keep me human.
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Water bottle
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Snacks (I try… still working on this - thank you market besties for always bringing me snacks if I forget 😜)
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Layers or sunscreen (obvi for outdoor markets)
A quick note on setups
I actually have two very different booth setups, depending on the event — from a simpler, quicker table setup to a much larger, curated indoor display that takes hours to build. I won’t get into all of that here (that’s coming next!), but it’s worth mentioning because no two markets are the same, and your kit should be flexible enough to support different styles of shows.
Vending with kiddos
Early on, my son Porter spent a lot of time at markets with me, he’s grown up alongside this business. That said, I no longer vend with him. I’ve learned that for me, it’s too stressful to fully focus on selling while also being in mom mode. Separating those roles has been healthier for both of us, and it’s okay to figure out what works best for your family! (Plus Porter loves to come make an appearance with dad or grammy)
Final thoughts
Your market kit doesn’t need to be perfect or Pinterest-worthy. It just needs to work for you and your business!! Over time, you’ll refine it, remove what you don’t use, and add things you never thought you’d need (hello, hammer).
Next up in this series:
Learning to Market 101: My Two Booth Setups (and Why I Use Both)
Have questions about vending, markets, or First Thursday? Send me a DM on Instagram @porterlees — I love chatting shop.
💖 Porsha