Sorry it’s a little long, I just feel stumped. A little over a month ago I quit my retail job due to severe burnout and depression. I still have enough saved to allow myself to not work for the next 4 months, but don’t want to jump back into work just yet since I am only just starting to feel the burnout feeling lift a bit. While I know 4 months is going to fly by, I still wanted to take at least 1-2 more months of resetting and then looking for a job that fits my life better. I needed to keep myself somewhat busy for the next few months so I don’t waste away in bed with my mental health issues. I have a cricut and make craft items for myself, family, and friends and recently started to do sublimation as well. I usually don’t sell my products, but with no longer having my job, I started to feel the push to work on my crafts more and maybe start selling to bridge the gap financially until I get a new job. I know the market is saturated, but it’s the only thing that I can see myself doing right now until I get myself back together. My neighborhood is having a 2-3 hour event next month and asked for “vendors”. I signed up impulsively because I wanted to force myself to step out of my comfort zone and try to see if this is something I would be able to wake up every day and do. On the business name spot on the application, I just put “Crafts by my first name” because I don’t have a business or a name for a business yet. They didn’t ask for anything else besides a name, what you’re selling, and payment, I was excited and got to work crafting. I’m 2 weeks into panic crafting and am exhausted, I don’t know if I will have enough product to sell, but I keep working. Scrolling on a craft fair vendor Facebook group, someone mentioned a vendor license and I was instantly overwhelmed with feelings of uncertainty and even fear that I’m doing the wrong thing. Do I need a vendor license in Texas to sell craft items? For a neighborhood event? I looked online and if I read everything correctly, it seems like I may. If this is a one and done deal for me I don’t know if this is all even worth it though. Wanted to see if I would be okay for this one event or if I need to go set up a business and get a vendor license?
If you got in, and they didn’t ask for anything else, you are good.
Most people doing craft fairs are individuals/sole proprietors.
If you needed a license or anything else, they would’ve asked for it up front.
There are lots of large businesses that operate as sole proprietors, not set up as businesses, and operate without business licenses.