Home-Based glassware supplier to cafés and shops

Independent cafés, restaurants, bars, gift and homewares shops, caterers and event rental companies.

The gap between your wholesale buying price and the price you charge businesses, usually on repeat orders. Setting minimum order values helps cover shipping and handling.

• Selling to businesses
• Keeping track of orders and stock
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Reliable follow-up with customers

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether storing stock at home is allowed
• Commercial general liability insurance, including product liability and cover for stock stored at home
• Breakage in transit: agree who pays for damaged goods with suppliers and customers in writing
• Check provincial sales tax rules for resale, such as exemption certificates, and Quebec French-language requirements if selling there
• Check Health Canada requirements for glassware, for example lead and cadmium limits on decorated items

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how much stock you hold and how you sell. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your customers and range.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows stock storage at home. Also check commercial general liability cover, provincial sales tax resale rules, Health Canada requirements such as lead and cadmium limits on decorated items, and Quebec French-language rules.

Useful skills include selling to businesses, tracking orders and stock, negotiating with suppliers, and reliable customer follow-up. Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week, and you should agree in writing who pays for breakage.