Local drone shop with repairs

Local hobbyists, parents buying gifts, photographers, videographers, and businesses such as surveyors, roofers and farms that use drones.

Retail margin on drones, parts and accessories, plus paid repairs and tune-ups. Repairs, parts and local advice help you compete with online stores.

• Hands-on drone knowledge and basic electronics repair
• Retail selling and customer service
• Managing stock and cash flow

• You will most likely need a general business license from your city or county, plus a sales tax permit or seller's permit from your state, before you start trading; check local zoning and any certificate of occupancy for your premises too
• Check dealer or distributor terms and current FCC and import rules before you commit to stock
• Store and ship lithium batteries carefully and check fire safety and insurance requirements for your premises
• General liability and property insurance are worth checking, along with coverage for customers' drones left with you for repair
• Stock can tie up a lot of cash, so start small and watch which products sell
• Customers may need FAA registration or a Part 107 certificate for paid flying, so point them to official FAA guidance rather than giving legal advice

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your premises, how much stock you carry and how you equip your repair bench. Stock can tie up a lot of cash, so starting small and watching what sells is sensible.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, product mix, pricing and how much repair work you take on. Revenue is not profit, so factor in rent, stock and insurance.

Check whether you need a general business license from your city or county and a sales tax permit from your state. Also check zoning and certificate of occupancy for your premises, dealer terms, FCC and import rules, lithium battery storage and fire safety, and insurance including customers' drones left for repair.