Online electronic parts shop for makers

Hobbyists, students, makerspaces, small repair shops and tinkerers who want Canadian stock without long overseas shipping and customs waits.

You buy in bulk from distributors and sell in smaller packs at a markup. Extra income comes from curated project kits, bundles and shipping fees.

• Basic knowledge of electronic components
• Inventory tracking and organization
• Online shop setup and product listings
• Customer service

• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules (such as PST or QST) for where you sell
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows stock and parcel pickups at home
• Some parts, such as lithium batteries, have shipping restrictions; check carrier rules before listing them
• Counterfeit or poor-quality chips from unreliable suppliers can hurt your reputation, so buy from trusted sources
• Tying up cash in slow-moving stock; start small and reorder what sells
• Check product liability insurance with a broker, especially for kits

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how much stock and how many kits you buy at the start. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on your niche and how well your listings sell.

Check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules such as PST or QST. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, carrier rules for items like lithium batteries, and product liability insurance for kits.

The idea calls for basic knowledge of electronic components, inventory tracking and organization, online shop setup and product listings, and customer service. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week. Buy from trusted suppliers and start with small stock orders.