Online crystals and spiritual goods store

Individual shoppers across Canada, including hobbyists, gift buyers and people into wellness and spiritual practice.

You buy stock wholesale and sell at a markup, with extra income from gift sets, bundles and shipping fees. Repeat customers and a social media following help sales.

• Product knowledge and curation
• Photography and social media
• Packing and order management
• Basic bookkeeping

• Check the GST/HST small supplier threshold and any provincial sales tax rules for online sales
• Be careful with product claims: avoid saying crystals or herbs cure or treat health conditions
• Check import rules and duties if buying stock from abroad, and ask suppliers about ethical sourcing of crystals
• Check rules on selling items such as certain plants, resins or feathers, which may be restricted
• Consider commercial general liability and product insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers stock
• Shipping costs and fragile stone breakage can cut into margins

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your opening stock, website and packaging. Shipping costs and breakage of fragile stones can cut into margins, so allow for them in your pricing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your range, photography and how well you reach customers on social media. Treat this as revenue rather than profit, since stock and shipping costs come out of it.

Check the GST/HST small supplier threshold and provincial sales tax rules, import rules and duties on foreign stock, and restrictions on items like certain plants, resins or feathers. Avoid claiming crystals or herbs cure or treat health conditions.