Online niche fabric wholesaler from home

Dressmakers who sell their work, small fashion labels, upholsterers, costume makers, craft businesses and small shops.

You earn the margin between your bolt price and your trade price, sold per metre in bulk, per roll or per bolt. Repeat orders from regular trade customers are the aim.

• Sourcing and negotiating with suppliers
• Knowing fabric types, weights and uses
• Stock tracking and organising
• Sales and trade customer service

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a home-based business with stock and deliveries
• Register for an ABN, and check when you need to register for GST
• Public liability and stock insurance, and whether your home policy covers business stock
• If importing, check customs duty, GST on imports and exchange rate risk
• Check labelling and safety rules that may apply to the fabrics you sell, for example for children's products
• Unsold stock ties up cash, so start small and track what sells

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and the range you choose. Unsold stock ties up cash, so starting small and tracking what sells is worth considering.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your niche, pricing and how many trade customers you win. It's an estimate of revenue, not profit, and it takes at least around 12 hours a week.

Check council approval for a home business with stock and deliveries, ABN registration and when to register for GST. If importing, check customs duty, GST on imports and exchange rate risk, plus labelling and safety rules for products like children's items.