Oriental rug showroom

Homeowners, interior designers and decorators, and people furnishing a new home or renovating.

Rugs are sold at a markup over cost. Extra income can come from rug pads, delivery and commissions from referring cleaning or repair work.

• Knowing rug quality, origins and care
• Buying and pricing stock
• Selling and building relationships with designers
• Running a shop and keeping accounts

• Stock is expensive, so check how much cash you can tie up before sales build
• Commercial general liability and contents or stock insurance
• Check your municipality for business licence and signage rules
• Register for GST/HST once over the threshold and check provincial sales tax rules
• Check lease terms carefully, including length, rent increases and personal guarantees
• Sales can be slow and seasonal, often quieter in summer, so plan cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your stock and premises. Stock is expensive, so check how much cash you can tie up before sales build, and look carefully at lease terms.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your range, location and sales. Sales can be slow and seasonal, often quieter in summer, so plan your cash flow.

Check your municipality for business licence and signage rules, GST/HST registration once you pass the threshold, and provincial sales tax rules. Also review lease terms, including length, rent increases and personal guarantees, and consider commercial general liability and stock insurance.