Hello, I am looking for some mods to make playing as a merchant more "authentic". Does anyone know of any mods that either let you open your own shop or let you have a caravan or pack animal so you can play as a traveling merchant?

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35305/ is the only one I can think of.

You would enjoy Gypsy Eyes Caravan if you want to be a travelling merchant.

Trade Routes is your best bet. It dynamically adjusts prices across Skyrim so that they differ in different Holds and cities. You can learn where products are cheap and in high demand, and make money out of it

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/49369/?

confirm trade routs is what you want. I think it actually works well with touring caravans too. I would also recommend Amazing follower tweaks, so that you can set yourself up some bodyguards.