Online womenswear boutique

Women shopping for everyday wear, work outfits or special occasions, often found through social media and local word of mouth.

You buy stock at wholesale prices and sell at retail, keeping the difference after shipping, returns, payment fees and advertising.

• Eye for style and trends
• Photography and social media
• Stock and budget planning
• Customer service

• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules (PST/QST) for your province
• Check clothing labelling rules (fibre content, care and bilingual labels) if you sell under your own label or import stock
• Returns and unsold stock can eat into profit, so start with small orders
• Shipping costs across Canada and to the US can be high, so test your delivery pricing
• Check import duties and customs rules if you buy from overseas suppliers
• Consider commercial general liability and product insurance

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website, first stock order and photography. These are estimates. Starting with small orders helps limit the risk of unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, stock range and how well you reach customers. Returns, unsold stock and shipping costs can reduce your profit.

Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, plus PST or QST rules in your province. Also check clothing labelling rules, including fibre content, care and bilingual labels, and import duties on overseas stock.