Jason Mace
Jason covers starting a trading business, pricing and costs, and taking payments at events. Jason is part of the Event Industry Trader specialist team, published by Gala Tent.
About Jason
Founder of Gala Tent, CEO and Co-Founder of Gala Technology
Jason Mace launched Gala Tent in 1999 and has helped many aspiring entrepreneurs launch their own marquee hire businesses.
He moved into financial technology and launched SOTpay in 2015, a pay by link payments technology that attracted the early involvement of PCI compliance specialists. He is also a property developer and venue owner.
In 2022 EuropeanCEO named him Entrepreneur of the Year in the Financial Technology Industry category, as reported by BDaily. He has won other business awards over his career.
Guides written by Jason Mace
How to start trading at events
The steps to start trading at markets and events in the UK: choose a product, register, get insured, buy kit that fits the pitch and book test pitches.
Taking card payments at events
How to take card payments at a market or event: mobile readers, QR payments, fees, signal problems and keeping a cash float as a backup.
Choosing what to sell at events
How to choose a product for a market stall or event: what makes an item sell, how to test demand cheaply and what to check before you buy stock.
Sole trader or limited company?
The main differences between a sole trader and a limited company for a new UK market or event trader: liability, tax, records and registration.
Your first market day checklist
A practical checklist for your first day at a market or event: paperwork, kit, stock, payments, arrival time and what to do before the doors open.
How much does it cost to start trading?
The costs to price up before your first pitch as a UK event trader: stock, pitch fees, kit, insurance, payments and travel, plus how to budget.
How to price products for events
A step-by-step method for pricing stock at markets and events: start from your full cost, add a margin, check it against the pitch and round the price.
Working out your break-even
How to calculate the number of sales a market or event pitch needs to cover its costs, with a worked example using made-up round numbers.
Pitch fees explained
How pitch fees work at UK markets and events: fixed fees, percentage fees, what is included and the questions to ask an organiser before you pay.
Hidden costs of event trading
The costs that catch new market and event traders out, from fuel and parking to card fees, insurance and wasted stock, and how to plan for them.
Should you register for VAT?
When VAT registration applies to a small trading business in the UK, the current £90,000 threshold, how voluntary registration works and how to check.
Pricing for different event types
How pricing changes between a farmers' market, a festival and a car show, and how to adjust prices, stock and costs to suit each type of event.
Card reader or QR payment for a market or festival stall?
Card reader or QR payment for a market or festival stall? How each works, what each needs on site and how to choose the right mix for your pitch.
Payment fees for market traders
The charges market and event traders meet when taking card payments, the types of fee to look for and how to compare providers on your real sales.
Handling cash safely at events
How to handle cash at a market or event stall: sizing a float, giving change, spotting bad notes and keeping takings secure through the day.
What to do when the signal drops at an event
Backup options when mobile signal fails at a market or festival: carrying cash, a second network, offline modes and a plan for busy periods.
Keeping takings safe at a stall
Practical ways to protect cash, card machines and customer data at a market or event stall, from the till to the bank at the end of the day.
How much does a market stall cost?
The costs that make up a market stall, from the pitch fee and stock to kit, insurance, payment charges and travel, with links to the pricing guides.
Setting up QR code payments for a stall
How to set up QR code payments for a market stall: choose a provider, test the flow, display the code clearly, protect it and keep a backup way to pay.
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent
Gala Tent designs and sells commercial gazebos, marquees and printed branding for traders and event organisers across the UK.