Niche online electrical supplier for the trade

Electricians, small electrical contractors, builders, property maintenance teams and small retailers who want a specialist source or better service than the big supply houses.

You buy at trade or volume prices and sell at a markup, often with volume discounts for repeat accounts. Margin comes from the price gap, with extra income from bundles, kits and fast delivery.

• Product knowledge of your chosen niche
• Sales and building trade relationships
• Organizing stock, orders and shipping

• Check state sales tax registration and how resale certificates work in your state
• Only sell products certified by a recognized testing lab such as UL, and avoid gray-market or counterfeit stock
• General liability and product liability insurance, since faulty electrical goods can cause fires or injuries
• Check shipping rules for items like lithium batteries and whether home storage fits your lease, HOA or zoning
• Cash tied up in stock and slow-paying accounts if you offer credit terms

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the niche you choose, how much stock you buy versus drop-ship, and your website setup. These are estimates. Remember that cash can get tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your niche, range and how many trade buyers you win. This is an estimate. Hours start at around 15 per week. Slow-paying accounts can hurt if you offer credit terms.

Check state sales tax registration and how resale certificates work in your state. Only sell products certified by a recognized testing lab such as UL, and check product liability insurance and shipping rules for items like lithium batteries.