Home-based corporate gift supplier

Local businesses, clubs, schools, real estate agencies and event organisers buying gifts for staff, clients or giveaways.

You add a margin on top of the supplier's price for each order. Repeat orders from the same clients, such as Christmas hampers and staff welcome packs, build steady income.

• Selling and following up leads
• Organised, with an eye for detail on orders
• Good at proofing artwork and meeting deadlines

• Register for an ABN, and check when you need to register for GST
• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Public liability and product liability insurance, in case a gift causes harm
• Imported products may need to meet Australian safety and labelling standards, so check with the supplier and the ACCC
• Late or wrong deliveries from suppliers can damage your reputation, so build in extra time before event dates
• Check copyright and trademark permission before printing client logos or licensed designs

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on sample products, insurance and any website or marketing you set up. Treat this as an estimate. You don't make the gifts yourself or hold much stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on how many business clients you win, order sizes and your margins. This is revenue, not profit. The estimate starts at about 8 hours a week.

Check ABN and GST registration, and whether your local council needs to approve a home business. Also check product and public liability insurance, Australian safety and labelling standards for imported products with the ACCC, and copyright or trademark permission for client logos.