Online school and classroom supplies store

Parents who want a whole school list in one order, teachers stocking their classrooms, and schools or daycares placing bulk orders.

Retail margin on products and kits, plus larger orders from schools and teachers. Most sales come in the weeks before September and January.

• Setting up a simple online store
• Organising stock and orders
• Clear communication with customers and schools

• Check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to online sales across provinces
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Shipping costs and delivery times can cut into margins, so test them before you set prices
• Quebec customers may need a French-language site, so check the rules if you sell there
• Peak-season stock needs cash up front, so avoid over-ordering

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on your website set-up, how much stock you buy and whether a supplier ships for you. Peak-season stock needs cash up front, so avoid over-ordering.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your product range, how many schools and families you reach, and the time of year. Shipping costs can cut into margins, so test them before setting prices.

Check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to online sales across provinces, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence. If you sell to Quebec customers, check the French-language rules for your website.