Home-based lab and science supplies reseller

School boards and individual schools, colleges, small research groups, environmental and water testing labs, and homeschool or tutoring organizations.

You earn the margin between the wholesale price and your quote, or a commission set by the manufacturer. Repeat orders for consumables like glassware, slides and test kits give steadier income than one-off instruments.

• Reading technical product specs
• Writing clear quotes
• Patient relationship building with buyers
• Organized order tracking

• School boards and public bodies often have approved vendor lists or tender rules, so check how to register in your province
• Customers may pay slowly, so check payment terms and plan your cash flow
• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST and how it applies to your sales
• Some chemicals and hazardous items have shipping and labelling rules (WHMIS, TDG), so check what your suppliers handle
• Check municipal rules for a home-based business and consider product liability insurance

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your setup. Suppliers ship directly to customers, so you hold little or no stock. Consider product liability insurance and check home-based business rules.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the buyers you win and the orders you place. Customers may pay slowly, so check payment terms and plan your cash flow.

Check how to register on approved vendor lists or tender processes used by school boards and public bodies in your province. Check GST/HST registration and WHMIS and TDG rules for chemicals or hazardous items, and what your suppliers handle. Also check municipal home-business rules.