Online thread shop for sewers and crafters

Home sewists, quilters, embroiderers, cosplay makers and small Etsy-style makers who want better colour choice or lower prices than they find locally.

You buy in bulk and sell at a markup per spool, cone or bundle. Colour sets, starter kits and repeat orders help raise the average sale.

• Organising stock and colour ranges
• Online selling and customer service
• Knowing thread types and which projects they suit

• GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax (PST or QST) in some provinces. Check with the CRA and your province
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether you can store stock at home
• Shipping across long distances can eat margins, so test your pricing and free-shipping limits
• Screen colours differ from real thread colours, so expect returns and add swatches or clear colour names
• If you sell to Quebec customers, check French-language rules for your website and labels
• If you import stock, check duties and import rules with the CBSA

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your opening stock, website set-up and shipping supplies. These are estimates, so build your own budget from supplier prices.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many customers you reach. Shipping long distances can eat margins, so test your pricing and free-shipping limits.

Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax in some provinces. Also check home-based business licence rules, French-language rules if you sell to Quebec, and CBSA duties and import rules if you import stock.