Online incense and accessories shop

Individual customers interested in wellness, meditation, yoga, home fragrance and gifts.

You sell at a markup over your buying price. Bundles, sampler boxes and burners raise the value of each order. Repeat customers buy again as they run out.

• Product sourcing and supplier relationships
• Online selling and basic photography
• Organised stock and order handling
• Customer service

• Check product safety and labelling rules for consumer products with Health Canada, and bilingual labelling rules, which are stricter in Quebec
• If you import, check CBSA rules on importing, duties and taxes, and whether any wood or plant ingredients (such as agarwood or sandalwood) have trade restrictions
• Register for GST/HST once your sales reach the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules where you sell
• Product liability insurance, since incense is burned and can irritate people with allergies or breathing problems
• Shipping costs and breakage, especially in winter. Some couriers may have rules on shipping certain products

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website or marketplace set-up, photography and insurance. Shipping costs and breakage are worth budgeting for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $3,000, depending on your product focus, traffic and how many orders you ship. The estimate assumes at least about 6 hours a week. Shipping costs, especially in winter, can reduce what you keep.

Check Health Canada product safety and labelling rules, including bilingual labelling, which is stricter in Quebec. If you import, check CBSA rules, duties, taxes and any trade restrictions on wood or plant ingredients. Also check GST/HST, provincial sales tax and product liability insurance.