Neighbourhood lighting showroom

Homeowners, renovators, landlords, interior designers, small contractors and local businesses such as cafés and offices.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail. Higher-margin items include decorative fixtures, special orders and smart-lighting bundles. Bulbs and accessories bring in repeat visits, and trade accounts add steady orders.

• Customer service and friendly advice
• An eye for design and room layout
• Stock control and buying
• Basic knowledge of bulbs, fixtures and dimmers

• Check that electrical products carry a certification mark accepted in Canada (for example CSA or cUL) before you stock them
• Check your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules for the unit
• Stock ties up a lot of cash, so start with a focused range and track what sells
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus cover for fragile stock
• Check provincial rules for recycling or taking back used lamps and bulbs
• Quebec has French-language requirements for signs and product information
• Register for GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies) and check when you must start charging
• Winter can slow foot traffic, so plan cash flow for quiet months

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the unit you rent, your fit-out and displays, and how much stock you buy. Starting with a focused range can limit cash tied up.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, your product range, pricing and how many trade and home customers you attract. Winter can slow foot traffic, so plan for quiet months.

Check that electrical products carry a certification mark accepted in Canada, such as CSA or cUL. Also check municipal licence, zoning and signage rules, insurance, lamp recycling rules, sales tax registration, and Quebec French-language requirements.