Uniform and workwear supplier for local businesses

Restaurants, salons, clinics, landscaping and trade companies, plus schools, clubs and churches buying for staff or members.

You add a markup to the wholesale price of each garment and any logo embroidery or printing you outsource. Repeat orders for new hires and replacements add steady work.

• Sales and follow-up
• Organizing orders and deadlines
• Knowing sizes, fabrics and fit
• Comparing supplier prices

• Check whether you need a resale certificate and sales tax registration with your state
• Check city or county business license rules and home occupation rules if you work from home
• Get a written order and a deposit for custom logo work, since printed items can't be resold if the client backs out
• Check general liability and product liability insurance options
• Wholesaler minimum orders and lead times can delay deliveries, so confirm them before promising dates

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your samples, website, branding and any deposits you cover. Because orders are placed with wholesalers per job, you don't need to carry much stock.

Check whether you need a resale certificate and sales tax registration with your state, and look at city or county business license rules. If you work from home, check home occupation rules. Also check general liability and product liability insurance options.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many clients you win and the size of each order. Get a written order and a deposit for custom logo work, since printed items can't be resold if a client backs out.