Start an online asian grocery and snack shop

Home cooks and snack fans who live far from an Asian grocery, plus customers who want curated or hard-to-find items.

You buy wholesale and sell at a markup, plus shipping fees, bundles, gift boxes or monthly subscription boxes.

• Knowing the products and cuisines
• Online store setup and basic marketing
• Packing and shipping
• Inventory tracking

• Cottage food and home storage rules: check with your state and county before storing or selling food from home, and whether your HOA or lease allows it
• FDA labeling and import rules for packaged foods; avoid repackaging products without checking the rules
• Sales tax rules for selling across state lines
• Shipping costs, damaged goods and expiration dates
• Product liability and general liability insurance

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how you set up your online store, and what packing and shipping supplies you need. Curating a focused range can keep the starting budget lower.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $8,000, depending on your product range, marketing and order volume. Shipping costs, damaged goods and expiration dates can all reduce what you keep, so track them from the start.

Check cottage food and home storage rules with your state and county, and whether your HOA or lease allows it. Also check FDA labeling and import rules, sales tax across state lines, and product liability insurance.