Club and school sports kit supplier

Grassroots clubs, primary and secondary schools, PE departments and community groups.

You earn a margin between trade and selling prices on each order. Bigger, repeat orders come at the start of each season or school year.

• Building relationships with club and school contacts
• Quoting, ordering and organising deliveries
• Knowing which equipment suits different ages and abilities

• Schools and councils may use approved supplier lists or procurement rules, so check how to get on them
• Public liability insurance and product liability cover, which are worth checking with a broker
• Late payment from clubs and schools, so agree clear payment terms
• Running a business from home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender
• Thin margins on big orders, so check your costs carefully before quoting

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how much stock you hold and what you spend on insurance and getting started. Many suppliers hold little or no stock.

Schools and councils may use approved supplier lists or procurement rules, so check how to get on them. Also check public liability and product liability cover with a broker, and whether working from home needs landlord or mortgage lender permission.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how many clubs and schools you win. Hours are typically from around 8 a week. Margins can be thin on big orders, so check costs before quoting.