Local baseball specialty shop

Players of all ages, parents of youth players, local minor baseball clubs, school teams and adult league players.

Markup on equipment and clothing sold in store, plus extra services such as glove relacing, custom team uniforms and bulk orders for clubs.

• Knowing baseball equipment and sizing
• Customer service, especially with parents and kids
• Ordering and stock control
• Basic bookkeeping

• Strong seasonality: sales peak before and during the spring and summer season, so plan cash flow for winter
• Competition from big-box stores and online retailers, so decide what you offer that they don't
• Money tied up in stock, so start with a tight range and reorder fast sellers
• Check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules for your unit
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Check your provincial rules on sales tax (PST/QST where it applies) and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, the amount of stock you buy, and fit-out. Starting with a tight range of fast sellers can help keep money from being tied up in inventory.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, range, and team orders. Sales peak before and during the spring and summer season, so plan your cash flow for winter.

Check your municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules for your unit. Also check commercial general liability and contents insurance, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, provincial sales tax rules, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff.