Chinese herbs and tea shop

Local residents who like traditional remedies, people interested in natural wellness, and practitioners or home cooks who buy herbs in bulk.

Retail sales of herbs and teas sold by weight or by package, with extra income from gift sets, repeat customers and loyalty offers.

• Knowledge of Chinese herbs and teas
• Customer service and listening
• Inventory and ordering
• Careful record keeping

• FDA rules on dietary supplements: check what you can say on labels and signs, and avoid claims that a product cures or treats disease
• Some herbs and animal-derived ingredients are restricted or banned, so check federal and state rules and your suppliers' paperwork
• Giving diagnoses or treatment plans may count as practicing medicine or acupuncture, which needs a state license, so check your state's rules
• Sales tax registration, a local business license and general liability and product liability insurance
• Labeling and warning rules in your state, such as California's Proposition 65 if you sell there

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the premises, stock and fit-out. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your product range and customer traffic.

Check FDA rules on dietary supplements for labels and signs, and avoid claims that a product cures or treats disease. Also check federal and state rules, since some herbs and animal-derived ingredients are restricted or banned.

Giving diagnoses or treatment plans may count as practicing medicine or acupuncture, which needs a state license, so check your state's rules. Also check sales tax registration, a local business license and insurance.