Children's furniture boutique: start a small showroom

Local parents, expectant families, gift buyers, and nurseries, daycares and preschools furnishing classrooms.

Retail margin on furniture and accessories, plus delivery and assembly fees. Larger orders from daycares and preschools can add steady income.

• Retail merchandising and display
• Buying and managing stock
• Friendly customer service with families

• Children's product safety rules: check CPSC requirements, including crib standards and Children's Product Certificates, and keep supplier paperwork
• Check the federal STURDY Act tip-over stability standard for clothing storage units (enforced by the CPSC) and confirm each supplier's products comply before you stock them; also check whether your state has any additional rules
• Lease terms, rent and unsold stock are the main financial risks, so negotiate carefully and start with a modest range
• Insurance: check general liability, property and product liability, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
• Check your city or county for a retail business license, sales tax permit and signage rules

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out and opening stock. Lease terms, rent and unsold stock are the main financial risks, so negotiate carefully and start with a modest range.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, product range and how many local families you attract. Adding a website may widen your reach beyond walk-in customers.

Check CPSC requirements, including crib standards and Children's Product Certificates, and keep supplier paperwork. Check the federal STURDY Act tip-over standard for clothing storage units, confirm each supplier complies, and check any additional state rules and local business license requirements.