Wicker and woven homeware shop

Households furnishing a home or patio, gift shoppers, and interior designers or stagers buying for clients.

You buy wholesale and sell at retail, with larger sales from furniture and steady smaller sales from baskets and gifts. Delivery fees and custom orders add some extra income.

• Buying and pricing stock
• Shop merchandising
• Customer service
• Managing rent, inventory and cash flow

• Check zoning, a municipal business licence and any signage rules for your location
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Register for GST/HST and check provincial sales tax rules
• Commercial leases often have long terms, so read them carefully before signing
• Sales may be seasonal, with quieter winters for patio furniture

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the unit, stock levels and fit-out. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location and season.

Check zoning, a municipal business licence and any signage rules for your location. Also look at GST/HST registration, provincial sales tax, commercial general liability and contents insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, as rules vary by province.

Estimates suggest at least about 35 hours a week. Useful skills include buying and pricing stock, merchandising, customer service and managing rent, inventory and cash flow. Sales may be seasonal, with quieter winters for patio furniture.