Online jewellery boutique with market stalls

Online shoppers looking for gifts and personal pieces, and market visitors buying on the day, especially around holidays and weddings.

Mark-up on pieces you buy wholesale or take on consignment, plus add-ons such as engraving, gift wrapping and gift sets.

• Product photography and listing writing
• Choosing a clear style and niche
• Customer service and shipping

• Check the rules on describing and marking precious metals so your listings are accurate
• Insure stock in transit and at events, and check what your home or business insurance covers
• Check sales tax rules (GST/HST, plus PST or QST in some provinces) once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Returns, lost parcels and fakes can eat into margins, so set clear policies
• Winter and quiet seasons can be slow outside the holiday period

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on your stock, your website or marketplace set-up, photography, and the display gear and stall fees for markets and craft fairs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000 CAD, depending on your niche, how many events you attend and your online sales. You can start from around 10 hours a week, though quiet seasons outside the holidays can be slow.

Check the rules on describing and marking precious metals so your listings are accurate. Also check what your insurance covers for stock in transit and at events, and the sales tax rules (GST/HST, plus PST or QST in some provinces) once you pass the small supplier threshold.