Bar and restaurant furniture showroom

Hospitality owners and managers, fit-out contractors, interior designers and function or hotel venues.

Margin on furniture sold, plus delivery charges and larger project orders. Repeat business comes from refits and new venues opening.

• Sales and relationship building
• Stock and cash flow management
• Knowing commercial furniture quality
• Customer service

• Rent, stock and storage costs tie up cash, so start with a focused range
• Check zoning and council approvals for retail or bulky goods premises
• Hospitality customers can pay late or close down, so consider deposits and payment terms
• Australian Consumer Law, product safety and any commercial or fire standards for what you sell need checking
• Public liability and product liability insurance; workers compensation once you hire (state schemes)
• Check customs, duties, GST on imports and biosecurity rules for timber products if you import

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the premises and the stock you hold. Rent, stock and storage costs tie up cash, so starting with a focused range is worth considering.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your range, location and hospitality customers. That is revenue before rent and stock costs. Estimates start from about 35 hours a week.

Check zoning and council approvals for retail or bulky goods premises, and Australian Consumer Law, product safety and any commercial or fire standards. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and import rules if relevant.