Specialty food supplier to cafés and delis

Independent cafés, delis, restaurants, gift shops and small grocers that want products the big distributors don't carry.

You buy at wholesale prices and sell at a margin, usually through regular weekly or fortnightly orders. Margins depend on the product and how much you buy at once.

• Sales and relationship building
• Organising stock and orders
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping

• Food businesses usually need to register with your local council, check whether storing food at home is allowed
• Check food safety and labelling rules with your state or territory authority and Food Standards Australia New Zealand
• Imported products may have extra import and biosecurity requirements, check before you order
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Cash flow, as you pay suppliers up front but customers may take 14 to 30 days to pay

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage arrangements and your vehicle. Remember you pay suppliers up front while customers may pay later.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your product range, the number of cafés and delis you supply and your pricing. Estimates start from about 10 hours a week.

Check whether you need to register with your council and whether storing food at home is allowed. Check food safety and labelling rules with your state authority and FSANZ, plus import and biosecurity requirements and insurance.