LAKELAND, Fla. -- In Lakeland, novice entrepreneurs are finding out the farmer's market of all places is a great testing ground. 

• Farmer's market great testing ground for novice entrepreneurs 
• Boondock Studios is one of several new storefronts in Lakeland
• Owners say starting at the market helped build their product

Boondock Studios is one of several newer storefronts in Lakeland that got its start at the Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market. 

"We did it for five and a half years,” said Stacy Tabb, co-owner of Boondock Studios. 

The store has custom and handmade leather goods, along with knit hats and paintings. Other artists sell their handmade soaps there. 

"We always to have a place where we had multiple disciplines and people working and creating together,” Tabb said.

The studios are a dream come true. Not only do they sell their goods there but they offer classes too.

"I have sign in the back that says this is our happy place. And that's what it is, our happy place,” Tabb said.

Tabb said starting out at the market helped them build their product.

"You build your skills, you build your customer base more than anything else," Tabb said. 

Having those reliable customers before getting a storefront was key. 

"We're not putting personal money into this. We are selling enough to make our expenses which is huge," Tabb said. 

Jim Luna created the market 14 years ago. Back then, it only had eight vendors. Now, it has more than 65.

"We've had several that have started here and they've done good and they've moved onto their own venture and that's what it's all about,” Luna said. 

Boondock Studios is one of at least seven businesses in the last four years who got their start at the market.

The market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, except in August.

It cost $20 to be a full-time vendor.

For more information about the farmer's market, click here.