Online art dealer for private collectors

Private collectors, first-time art buyers, and people decorating a home or office who want something more personal than mass-produced prints.

Buy a work and resell it at a markup, or sell on consignment and keep an agreed commission, often 30 to 50 percent of the sale price, set in a written agreement.

• Eye for quality and an interest in art history
• Sales and relationship building
• Photography and online listings
• Research on pricing and authenticity

• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates
• Authenticity and provenance: a fake or misattributed work can mean refunds or legal trouble, so keep records
• Consignment: check state laws on artist consignment, which in some states treat artwork as held in trust for the artist
• Insurance for stock in transit or storage, plus general liability
• Cash tied up in unsold inventory

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on how much artwork you buy up front and how you set up your website. Note that unsold inventory ties up cash, so buy carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on the pieces you sell and their prices. Treat this as an estimate, since sales can be uneven and stock may take time to sell.

Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates, and any state laws on artist consignment. Keep records of authenticity and provenance, since a misattributed work can mean refunds, and look at insurance for stock plus general liability.