Local lolly and chocolate shop

Families, kids and teens, tourists, gift buyers and workplaces buying for events.

Margin on each item sold, with higher margins on pick-and-mix, made-up gift boxes and seasonal gift ranges.

• Customer service
• Stock buying and ordering
• Basic bookkeeping
• Eye for shop display

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety supervisor requirements, check your state's rules
• Lease terms, bond and fit-out costs before signing
• Public liability insurance and contents cover
• Allergen labelling on made-up gift boxes and repackaged items
• Heat can damage chocolate stock, plan for storage and cooling
• Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the lease, bond, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Check lease terms, bond and fit-out costs before you sign.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, foot traffic and season. This is revenue, not profit. Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan your cash flow. Expect at least 35 hours a week.

Things to check: food business registration with your local council, food safety supervisor requirements in your state, allergen labelling on gift boxes and repackaged items, public liability and contents insurance, and storage for chocolate in hot weather.