Neighbourhood botanica shop

People who practise folk or spiritual traditions, plus newcomers looking for familiar items from home, gift buyers and the curious.

Retail margin on products sold, with repeat sales from regulars buying candles, herbs and incense every month. Seasonal feast days and holidays bring busier periods.

• Knowing the traditions and products your customers use
• Respectful, friendly customer service
• Stock buying and ordering
• Basic bookkeeping

• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail, check with your city or town
• Selling herbs with health claims may fall under Health Canada's natural health product rules, so stick to ritual or culinary descriptions and check what applies
• Some ritual items such as animal-derived products or protected plants may be restricted, check import and provincial rules before stocking
• Candle and incense safety and labelling, plus commercial general liability and fire insurance
• In Quebec, signage and product labelling have French-language requirements
• Long commercial leases are a risk, so negotiate terms carefully and plan for a slow first few months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on location and the communities you serve.

Check your municipal business licence and zoning, and whether Health Canada's natural health product rules apply if you describe herbs with health claims. Also check import and provincial rules for restricted ritual items, candle and incense safety, insurance, and French-language rules in Quebec.

Helpful skills include knowing the traditions and products your customers use, respectful customer service, stock buying and basic bookkeeping. Estimates suggest at least about 35 hours a week, depending on opening hours. Plan for a slow first few months.