Ice cream machine and parts reseller

New and existing cafes, ice cream parlours, food trucks, restaurants and small artisan ice cream makers.

A margin on each machine or part sold, plus repeat orders for parts and accessories. Some resellers also offer financing options through a partner or lease company.

• Understanding how ice cream equipment works
• Sales and clear quoting
• Organising orders and shipping

• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, check what your supplier's terms require
• Import duties, shipping costs and freight damage on heavy equipment, if you bring in machines from outside Canada
• Electrical and safety certification marks (such as CSA or cUL) for equipment sold in Canada, check with your supplier
• Warranty and returns terms, make sure you know who handles faults
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules that vary by province
• Ice cream is seasonal, so expect busier sales in the months before summer

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on whether you hold stock or dealer demo units, your insurance and website. Check your supplier's terms for what they require up front.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the machines and parts you sell and how many customers you win. You could start with about 10 hours a week.

Check insurance requirements in your supplier's terms, import duties and freight damage if you bring in machines from outside Canada, and electrical safety marks such as CSA or cUL. Also check warranty terms and GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules.