Starting a business can be expensive, but mobile vending stalls are making it easier than ever for people in Taiwan to become their own bosses. With a portable booth or cart, aspiring business owners can set up their shop anywhere with enough space.
Brick & mortar stores don’t have a monopoly on good service. In fact, more and more people in Taiwan are choosing to open shops in a nontraditional way. With the rising popularity of mobile food stalls, many are enjoying lower set-up costs and the convenience of being their own boss.
One stall owner explains that he is still relatively new to the business and has been setting up in the same location for the past 4 months. But he says that owning a mobile stall is definitely a cheaper option compared to opening a traditional shop, as only about NT$ 400,000 (US$ 12,000) is needed for the truck and other equipment.
Food isn’t the only thing being sold at these portable shops. Selling your products or services at weekend markets is another popular way to open a small business. Many young people are making their living by selling handmade crafts. These young entrepreneurs combine online sales with the face-to-face customer interactions one can only get at markets. Vendors say the work isn’t easy but can be extremely rewarding.
A customized detachable food cart can cost as little as NT$10,000 (US$ 300). A larger cart complete with hardware will have you ready to make shaved ice for around NT$190,000 (US$ 6,000). One stall-maker says his customizable stalls are in such high demand that he has orders to fill into next year.
Whether you want to sell food, your own products, or provide a service, the portable shop economy has something for you on the menu.