The economy is on shakey ground. Wall Street is shaking. Banks and financial institutions are quaking. Investors are losing tons of money. Companies looking to stay afloat in a sea of red are cutting back expenses by laying off employees right and left. And middle America is being squeezed like our generation has never seen before. Two income households are having an increasingly hard time keeping the a roof overhead and discretionary funds are withering. For the recently laid off, retirees and those on fixed incomes seeking more sources of income is becoming a necessity to make ends meet. Recent immigrants, often forced to take low paying jobs are looking for new ways to add money to the family pot. And more and more young adults, full of energy and creative promise are facing an uncertain future as the job market shrinks.

What does this all have to do with the flea market? The flea market is an incubator like no other for starting up a small businesses. It doesn't discriminate against anyone based on age, sex, work history, or net worth. All may participate at a swap meet or flea market. market. For a seller, the cost of start-up at a flea market is lower than almost all other retail businesses. Table or booth space at a flea market will cost $20.00 a day on average (sometimes less). A brick and mortar shop would cost substancially more per day! Overhead expenses such as electricity, heating (Indoor), advertising & promotion, security, etc. are included in booth rental and are the responsibility of the promoter and not the seller. Far different than a retailer in a strip mall or on Main Street USA who must absorb all these expenses on his/her own. It is possible for a person to start a successful flea market business with very little layout of cash for inventory. In fact, with garage sales, yard sales, auctions and of course a thorough cleaning out of your own garage, basement and attic, it is easy to start a business with as little cash outlay as $50.00. (I know this first hand as I have done it myself more than once!)

If you have a home based or small business already - the flea market can help you make new contacts, spread the word about your product or service and be a great testing ground for developing product lines, etc.

If you are a young adult without much real world business experience you can still grow a money making machine from a space at a flea market. Many people don't realize that a hobby or talent can be turned into a business. The key here is passion. If you are passionate about music, computers and small electronics, video games, jewely, beauty products or fashion to name a few, you may find the flea market to be the perfect vehicle for making money.

But why is NOW such a great time to become a flea market vendor? Most of us don't just need extra income today. We also need to find ways to cut the rising cost of necessities: food, clothing, and all the other things we use and rely on to make our live livable and at a standard we have become accustom to. Simply put - We are becoming a nation of BARGAIN-HUNTERS and the flea market will continue to grow as more and more people discover the great cost-cutting oasis that we call a FLEA MARKET!

See you soon & Happy selling!

FLEA MARKET MAVEN

Stop by our Super Flea Market website: www.goodridgeguides.com