Trade flower supplier with a delivery run

Small florists, event and wedding stylists, cafes, restaurants, hotels and offices that buy flowers regularly.

You sell stems and bunches at a trade price above what you paid, usually with standing weekly orders and a delivery minimum. Margins are thin, so volume and keeping waste low matter.

• Knowing flower varieties, quality and seasons
• Early starts and reliable driving
• Building trade relationships and negotiating prices

• Flowers spoil quickly, so check how you will keep them cool and how you will handle unsold stock
• Public liability and vehicle insurance, plus goods in transit cover
• Check your state's rules on moving plant material, as interstate quarantine rules can apply
• Home storage of stock or a cool room may need council approval, so check with your local council
• Register for an ABN and check when you need to register for GST

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your van, storage and insurance set-up. These are estimates only, so price your own vehicle, storage and cover before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many trade customers you win and how often you deliver. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for your costs and unsold flowers.

Check how you will keep flowers cool and handle unsold stock. Look into public liability, vehicle and goods in transit cover, your state's plant material rules, council approval for home storage, and ABN and GST registration.