Neighbourhood chinese herbs and tea shop

Local residents who already use traditional Chinese products, people curious about natural health products, and families looking for herbal teas and tonics.

You buy from licensed suppliers and sell at a mark-up. Revenue comes from loose herbs, packaged remedies, teas and accessories like teapots and herb storage.

• Knowledge of Chinese herbs and products
• Friendly, trustworthy customer service
• Stock control and ordering
• Ability to speak Mandarin or Cantonese is a plus in some areas

• Natural health products sold in Canada generally need Health Canada authorization. Check that every product has a Natural Product Number (NPN) or DIN-HM
• Avoid health claims you cannot support. Check Health Canada's rules on what you may say about a product
• Some herbs and animal-derived ingredients are restricted or banned. Check Health Canada and CITES rules before stocking
• Importing products yourself may need a site licence. Buying from licensed Canadian distributors is usually simpler, but check this with Health Canada
• Several provinces regulate who can practise or prescribe traditional Chinese medicine. Check your provincial regulator before offering consultations or personalized blends
• Commercial general liability insurance, and French-language labelling and signage rules if you open in Quebec
• Teas and food items may be subject to CFIA labelling rules and local public health requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and the range of herbs, teas and remedies you stock. Costs vary with the size of your shop.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, product range and how many regular customers you build. Estimates suggest a minimum of about 30 hours a week.

Check that every natural health product has a Natural Product Number (NPN) or DIN-HM, and Health Canada rules on health claims and restricted ingredients. Also check your provincial regulator before offering consultations or personalized blends.