1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Street or taxi rank stall (informal trading): your step-by-step start

Sell snacks, sweets, fruit, cold drinks, phone accessories or everyday goods from a small stall where people pass every day, such as a taxi rank, station or busy corner, with the right trading permit.

  • 21 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People who can be at the same spot at the same times every day, like talking to regulars and can handle cash safely.

Think twice if

  • You cannot free up about 15 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 14 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: trading without a permit can mean your stock is confiscated: apply first.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How street or taxi rank stall (informal trading) worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Choose your spot and your times, and count the foot traffic3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Price your first stock at the wholesaler and work out your margin per item3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Week one, step 4: Get a cooler box, umbrella and a lockable cash tin3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Trade every day at the same times so regulars learn your hours3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Keep a stock book: what sold out, what did not move3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Start a WhatsApp list for regulars who want to pre-order3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Drop slow sellers and double the fast ones3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Join or form a buying group to get better wholesale prices3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Decide whether a second spot or longer hours would pay3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R500 to R4 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Trading permit
  • Table, umbrella or gazebo
  • Cooler box
  • Lockable cash tin
  • Stock book or notebook

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.