Craft wholesaler with a small warehouse and showroom

Gift shops, galleries, boutiques, florists, tourist attractions and small chains buying in bulk, often with repeat seasonal orders.

You buy in volume at wholesale or direct from artisans and sell with a margin. Minimum order values and repeat accounts keep sales steady.

• Buying and negotiating
• Inventory and cash flow management
• Selling to retail buyers

• If importing, check Canada Border Services Agency rules on duties, taxes and product labelling, and consider using a customs broker
• Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for the unit, plus commercial general liability and stock insurance
• Check product safety and labelling rules for items such as children's products, candles and textiles
• Check WCB/WSIB coverage and employment rules in your province before hiring staff
• Slow-moving stock and late-paying shops can tie up cash
• Seasonality: big orders come before the holidays, and winter shipping can cause delays

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $50,000 to $200,000 CAD, depending on the unit you rent, the size of your stock range and whether you import. Slow-moving stock can tie up cash, so plan your buying carefully.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your range, how many retailers you win and repeat seasonal orders. Plan for at least about 30 hours a week.

If importing, check Canada Border Services Agency rules on duties, taxes and labelling, and consider a customs broker. Also check municipal zoning and business licence rules, insurance, product safety and labelling rules, and WCB/WSIB coverage before hiring.