Furniture accessories shop or vendor booth

Local homeowners, people restoring or flipping furniture, and interior designers, upholsterers and contractors who want items quickly.

Retail margin on each item sold, with extra from trade discounts that bring in repeat buyers, and from advice on matching and fitting hardware.

• Merchandising and display
• Customer service and product advice
• Stock buying and cash management
• Building relationships with local trade buyers

• Sales tax registration and local business license: check with your state and your city or county
• General liability insurance and any insurance your landlord or mall requires
• Lease terms, rent increases and zoning for retail use
• Slow-moving stock, so track what sells and reorder carefully
• If you hire staff, workers' compensation requirements in your state

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on whether you rent a booth or a small shop, how much stock you buy, fixtures and insurance. A booth is usually the lower-cost way to begin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $9,000, depending on location, stock range and how many trade buyers return. Track what sells and reorder carefully, since slow-moving stock can tie up cash.

Check sales tax registration and local business license rules with your state and your city or county. Also review lease terms and zoning for retail use, insurance your landlord or mall requires, and workers' compensation if you hire staff.