Home-Based stationery supplier

Small offices, medical and trade businesses, community groups, local schools and independent gift or newsagent-style shops.

You earn the gap between your bulk buying price and your trade price. Repeat orders from a handful of regular customers matter more than one-off sales.

• Sales and relationship building
• Stock and order tracking
• Basic bookkeeping
• Reliable delivery

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a home-based business and store stock at home
• Public liability insurance, and check that your home and contents policy covers business stock
• Large chains and online sellers can undercut you, so check margins carefully before you commit to stock
• Many schools buy through approved supplier lists or panels, so ask how they choose suppliers
• GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold, and check product safety rules for any children's items
• Cash tied up in stock, and late-paying business customers

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your storage and delivery setup. Cash is tied up in stock, so check margins before you commit. Treat this as an estimate.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your customer base and order sizes. Hours start from about 10 a week. Large chains and online sellers can undercut you, so check margins carefully.

Check with your local council whether a home-based business and home stock storage need approval. Also check public liability and contents cover for stock, GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, and product safety rules for children's items.