Online music gear and accessories shop

Hobby players, students, parents buying for children, music teachers and school music programs.

You earn the margin between wholesale and retail price on each item. Small accessories and consumables like strings, reeds and picks bring repeat orders.

• Playing or knowing an instrument family well
• Online selling and basic product photography
• Inventory tracking
• Customer service

• Many brands set minimum advertised prices or require approval to become an authorized dealer, check each supplier's terms
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules that vary, check with the Canada Revenue Agency and your province
• Shipping costs and damage on fragile or bulky items, and competition from large online retailers
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website setup and whether suppliers ship directly to customers.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, range and pricing. Shipping costs, damage on fragile items and competition from large online retailers can affect what you keep.

Check each brand's terms, as many set minimum advertised prices or require approval to become an authorized dealer. Also check GST/HST registration and provincial sales tax with the Canada Revenue Agency and your province, and home-based licence rules.