Online denim store with market pop-ups

Online shoppers who want a good fit in a niche range, and market visitors who like to try on and buy on the spot.

You sell jeans at a markup over wholesale or thrifted cost. Some owners add paid hemming or a small range of tees and belts.

• Choosing a clear niche and range
• Basic online selling and photography
• Sizing advice and customer service

• High return rates on clothing, so build shipping and returns costs into your prices
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and whether you can store stock at home
• Market stall fees and event insurance, plus commercial general liability cover
• Collecting GST/HST and any provincial sales tax once you pass the threshold
• Cash tied up in sizes that don't sell, so start with a small range
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for your website and sales materials

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your range, how much stock you buy and your market stall and event costs. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $1,000 to $8,000, depending on how often you sell and which niche you choose.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether you can store stock at home. Also check market stall fees, event insurance, commercial general liability cover, GST/HST and any provincial sales tax once you pass the threshold, and French-language rules if you sell in Quebec.

Estimates suggest a minimum of about 10 hours a week, depending on how many markets you attend and how many online orders you handle. Expect time for photography, sizing advice, packing and returns, since clothing returns can be high.