Small-Batch tea blender selling online

Tea lovers, gift buyers and people looking for specific blends such as herbal, caffeine-free or flavoured teas.

You sell packs, sampler sets and gift boxes at a price well above your ingredient and packaging cost. Subscriptions can bring repeat orders.

• A good palate and a feel for flavour
• Careful weighing and hygiene
• Online selling and photography
• Keeping simple stock and cost records

• Register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before you start trading (check with your council)
• Labelling rules: ingredients, allergens, weight, batch or best-before date and your business address; check current guidance from the Food Standards Agency or Trading Standards
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows food production at home
• Health claims on packaging, such as 'detox' or 'calming', are tightly regulated, so check before using them
• Postage and packaging costs can eat into margins on small orders

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on the ingredients, packaging, equipment and website you choose. These are estimates, so cost out your own blends before you buy in bulk.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £2,500, depending on your range, prices and how many customers you reach online. Postage and packaging costs can eat into margins on small orders.

Check you need to register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before trading. Also check labelling rules, rules on health claims, insurance, and whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows food production at home.