Online catering and restaurant supplies store

Caterers, food truck owners, home bakers, small restaurants, event planners and churches or community groups buying in bulk.

You earn the markup between wholesale cost and your selling price, plus extra from bundles, bulk-order discounts and repeat business accounts.

• Basic website or online store setup
• Product research and sourcing
• Customer service
• Organizing inventory and shipping

• Check your state's sales tax registration rules, including rules for selling to customers in other states
• Some suppliers require minimum orders or proof of a business before opening a wholesale account
• Heavy or bulky items can make shipping costs eat your margin, so test shipping rates before pricing
• General liability and product liability insurance, check what your insurer requires for resold goods
• If you store stock at home, check lease or HOA rules

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your store platform, whether you dropship or hold stock, and any storage space. These are estimates, so test shipping rates on bulky items before you set prices.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your product niche, order sizes and shipping costs. These are estimates, and the business assumes at least about 10 hours of work a week.

Check your state's sales tax registration rules, including selling to customers in other states. Some suppliers want minimum orders or proof of a business for wholesale accounts. Ask your insurer what it requires for resold goods, and check lease or HOA rules if you store stock at home.