Home-Based gift basket business

Individuals sending gifts to friends and family, plus small businesses and clubs wanting thank-you gifts.

You sell each basket at a set price that covers products, packaging, delivery and your time, with extra for personalised messages or rush orders.

• Eye for design and presentation
• Good at sourcing and comparing suppliers
• Organised with orders and delivery times

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• If you include food, check your council's food business registration and labelling rules
• Public liability and product insurance are worth checking, especially for food and cosmetics
• Breakable items and perishable goods can be damaged in the post, so test your packaging
• Demand spikes around Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, so plan stock and time

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how much stock, packaging and equipment you buy and how many basket styles you launch with. These are estimates, so compare supplier prices before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on your prices, how many orders you take and how well you plan for peaks like Christmas and Mother's Day. That is revenue before costs, and it is an estimate.

Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home. If you include food, check council food business registration and labelling rules. Also look into public liability and product insurance, especially for food and cosmetics.