Start an online health food store

People with specific dietary needs or preferences who struggle to find these products locally, plus subscribers who reorder regularly.

Markup on products, plus shipping fees and subscription boxes for regular reorders. Bundles and free-shipping thresholds can raise order sizes.

• Setting up an online shop
• Product knowledge in your niche
• Packing and shipping
• Basic marketing and social media

• Check CFIA and Health Canada labelling rules, especially for imported products and supplements
• Check whether you need a municipal home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Check food storage requirements and best-before dates, and manage expiry carefully
• Shipping costs, damaged parcels and returns can cut into thin margins
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Commercial general liability insurance, including product liability cover

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how you set up your website and whether you need storage space. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche and range.

Check CFIA and Health Canada labelling rules, especially for imported products and supplements. Also check whether you need a municipal home-based business licence if you store stock at home, food storage and best-before requirements, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Estimates start at about 8 hours a week, depending on how many orders you handle. That time covers ordering from wholesalers, packing, shipping and marketing. Useful skills include setting up an online shop, product knowledge in your niche, and basic social media marketing.