Online sports memorabilia shop

Hockey, CFL, basketball, soccer and baseball fans, gift buyers and serious collectors.

You buy stock at wholesale or from private collections and sell at a markup. Rarer, authenticated pieces earn more per sale.

• Knowing sports and collectables
• Spotting fakes and judging condition
• Photography and writing listings
• Careful packing and shipping

• Fake or poorly authenticated items can ruin your reputation, so check the authentication company and keep certificates
• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality
• Register for GST/HST (and provincial sales tax where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Stock can tie up cash and values can change, so avoid overbuying one player or team
• Insure high-value stock and shipments, and check with an insurer about commercial general liability cover

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, which authenticated items you choose, and your photography and packing supplies. Stock can tie up cash, so avoid overbuying one player or team.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on your stock, pricing and how much time you put in. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week. Collectable values can change, so results will vary.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and whether you need GST/HST (plus provincial sales tax where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold. Also check the authentication company, keep certificates, and ask an insurer about liability cover.