Independent bakery equipment sales rep

Bakeries, restaurants, grocery in-store bakeries and food makers, who pay the supplier. You are paid commission by the supplier or dealer.

A commission or margin on each sale, sometimes with a small fee for layout and equipment planning advice. Income depends on deal size and can be uneven.

• Consultative selling
• Understanding how bakeries work
• Following up and staying organized
• Reading equipment specs and quotes

• Read any rep or dealer agreement closely: territory, commission, exclusivity and who handles warranties
• Sales tax and resale certificate rules if you buy and resell rather than earn commission, check with your state
• Long sales cycles, so plan for months with little income
• General liability insurance, and check whether you need a local business license
• Don't promise delivery dates or installation you don't control

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on what travel, samples, phone and software, and insurance you need. You carry no stock, since orders ship from the supplier.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your commission terms and how many orders you close. Sales cycles can be long, so plan for months with little income.

Read any rep or dealer agreement closely, including territory, commission, exclusivity and who handles warranties. Check whether you need a local business license, and sales tax rules if you resell rather than earn commission. Look into liability insurance.