Assess the Competition

Long before you open a farmers' market in your area, it's a good idea to determine how you will fit in the competitive landscape. Use the link below to get a list of local competitors in your area. Simply enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of farmers' markets in your town.

• Find Competing Farmers' Markets

Gain a knowledge of how existing firms have positioned themselves in the marketplace, and then design your business in a way that sets you apart from the others.

Getting Advice from Experienced Entrepreneurs

Once you've finished assessing the competion, it's a wise move to learn as much as you can from somebody who is already in the business. Local competitors are not going to give you the time of day, mind you. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.

But, a person who owns a farmers' market in another town may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, once they realize that you are not going to directly compete with them in their community. In that case, the business owner may be more than happy to discuss the industry with you. Our estimate is that you may have to contact many business owners to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.

How do you find an entrepreneur who is running a farmers' market in another community?

Here's one way to do it. Just use our link below, find somebody and call them.

• Research Farmers' Market Owners In Other Cities

Consider Franchising

Recognize that your chances of becoming a successful entrepreneur zoom upwards when you join the ranks of franchisees instead of doing it all on your own.

As part of your process in starting a farmers' market, you may want to determine whether purchasing a franchise might simplify your entering the business.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

• Owning a Franchise