Happy first day of the month junkers! March is certainly being true to form "In like a lion" we have had a windy day that has now turned into rain and thunderstorms. 

We often get questions from apprehensive folks considering becoming a first time booth owner. However, one of the most asked questions we receive is: Should I start with a smaller booth? That question is usually followed with a comment like: but I'm afraid if I start small I won't have enough room for everything. We totally get your concerns. So we thought we would do a post showcasing smaller spaces to try and encourage you. Just because a space is small, doesn't mean it can't be beautiful or profitable. 

There are lots of things to consider before signing on the dotted line. The most important thing is do your homework. Ask yourself questions. Ask the shop owner questions. Think on, pray about it, discuss it with your family and friends. If the timing is right, everything will fall into place. In the meantime, here are some questions to keep in mind. 

1. Will you be doing this full time or part time?
2. Do you have enough inventory to start with and more  in reserve? 
3. What kind of traffic is the store getting?  
4. How long is the lease? 
5. Does the store promote and advertise?  
6. Is the store easily accessible? 
7. What days/hours are they open?
8. How much is the rent, commission and other fees that will be taken? 
9. Do you have to work the store or do they provide a staff?

I wish we could look into the proverbial Crystal Ball and tell you everything will be okay. All we can say is -- listen to your instincts. If a place doesn't feel right for you then do not proceed. I learned this one the hard way. I once took a booth and ignored all the red flags. During that time I was unhappy but at least I made some good friends and learned I should always follow my gut.  

If you are on the fence but afraid of failing we encourage all of you to start small. Most places offer smaller size booths or even end caps. In this business you see it all, and trust me we have. One of the smallest spaces I've ever run across is the old closet. I've seen lots of those over the years but one of the prettiest ones I've seen is from Celeste of Always in Bloom. She has a bigger space now, but this is to give you an idea. 

My friend, Tammy of Tamaras Treasure Trove has been in the business for a while. She started out with a larger booth and at one time had a couple of booths in multiple locations. A few months ago, Tammy decided to focus more on her online shop so she downsized to only one 3x5 booth. 

I'm not sure what size this next booth is but it so cute. They mostly sell knobs, but have a collection of painting and gifts for the home. I apologize as I do not know who owns this booth. 

I love how cozy this next booth feels. They maximized their square footage by going up. They stacked as many things as they could and I love the small box springs with twinkle lights. 
We hope you enjoyed this post and got found some inspiration. Just remember if you start out small, you can always grow into a larger space. We wish you luck much luck and success with your new journey and just remember...