Dried and preserved flower shop

Walk-in home buyers, gift shoppers, local decorators, stylists, cafes and event planners.

Retail sales of stems and arrangements, custom and wholesale orders for businesses and events, and paid workshop tickets.

• Floral design and merchandising
• Buying and managing stock
• Customer service and local marketing

• Check your city or county for a business license, zoning and a certificate of occupancy for the space
• Register for sales tax with your state and keep records for the IRS
• Lease commitments are a major risk, so negotiate carefully and keep fixed costs low
• Get general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Sales often peak around holidays and weddings, so plan cash flow for quiet months

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the premises, stock, fixtures and how much you spend on marketing. These are estimates. Lease commitments are a major risk, so negotiate carefully and keep fixed costs low.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, stock, custom orders and workshops. Sales often peak around holidays and weddings, so plan your cash flow for the quiet months. Expect roughly 35 hours a week or more.

Check your city or county for a business license, zoning and a certificate of occupancy for the space. Also check state sales tax registration, general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff.