Online wholesale clothing supplier to boutiques

Independent boutiques, gift shops, online sellers and market vendors who need regular stock at wholesale prices.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your wholesale price, usually with minimum order values to keep each sale worthwhile.

• Spotting trends in a niche
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking
• Selling to business buyers

• Check your state's sales tax registration rules; you will usually collect resale certificates from buyers instead of charging them tax
• Check clothing labeling rules (fiber content, country of origin, care labels) with the FTC
• Children's clothing has extra safety requirements, so check CPSC rules before selling it
• Unsold stock ties up cash, so start with small orders
• Check import duties and counterfeit risks if buying from overseas
• General liability and product liability insurance are worth checking

Estimates are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your wholesale website or catalog, and insurance. Starting with small orders helps limit the cash tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your niche, the number of boutique buyers, order sizes and your margins. Estimates start from about 10 hours a week.

Check your state's sales tax registration and resale certificates from buyers, FTC clothing labeling rules, and CPSC rules for children's clothing. Also check import duties and counterfeit risks if buying overseas, plus liability insurance.