Online sauna heater and accessories store

Homeowners building or upgrading a backyard or basement sauna, small sauna builders, cottage owners, gyms and spas.

You earn the margin between wholesale and retail price on each item. Accessories and replacement parts bring repeat orders, while heaters bring larger one-off sales.

• Learning the products well enough to advise buyers
• Basic website and online shop set-up
• Customer service by email, chat and phone

• Heaters and controls usually need to carry a recognized Canadian safety certification (such as CSA or cUL), so check with each supplier
• Customers may need a licensed electrician or a local building permit to install, so say clearly that you sell products and don't install them unless you are qualified
• Heavy freight is costly and damage claims happen, so check carrier insurance and your returns policy
• Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for online sales, and Quebec's French-language requirements if you sell there
• Demand is often stronger in the colder months, so plan cash flow for the slow season

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, opening stock and whether suppliers ship directly. Heavy freight is costly, so check carrier insurance and your returns policy.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your product range, pricing and marketing. Demand is often stronger in the colder months, so plan your cash flow for the slow season.

Check that heaters and controls carry a recognized Canadian safety certification such as CSA or cUL. Customers may need a licensed electrician or building permit, so check GST/HST and provincial sales tax, and French-language rules if you sell in Quebec.