Niche sports accessories distributor from home

Independent sports shops, gyms, pro shops at rinks and golf clubs, school and club suppliers, and small online sellers.

You buy at a trade price and sell at a wholesale price with a margin on each case or carton. Minimum order sizes and repeat orders from the same shops keep the work efficient.

• Selling to shop owners and buyers
• Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking
• Organised packing and shipping

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether you can store stock at home
• Register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check how your province handles sales tax on resale
• Some products, such as helmets or items for children, may have safety or labelling rules, so check with Health Canada
• Cash can get tied up in unsold stock, so start small and avoid seasonal items you cannot sell
• Check that your home insurance covers business stock, and consider commercial general liability insurance

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the niche you choose and how much stock you buy. Start small, since cash can get tied up in unsold stock.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on your niche, the number of shops and clubs you supply and order sizes. The estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows stock storage at home. Also check GST/HST registration and provincial sales tax on resale, Health Canada safety or labelling rules for items like helmets, and whether your insurance covers business stock.