Start an online garden statue store

Homeowners, gardeners, gift buyers and some small landscapers and interior decorators.

You mark up wholesale prices on each piece and charge for shipping or build it into the price. Larger or custom pieces carry higher margins.

• Online selling and product listings
• Customer service
• Organizing orders and freight shipping

• Heavy, fragile items are easily damaged in shipping; check freight options, packaging and who pays for breakage
• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and collecting tax on online sales
• Check whether you need a local business license, and HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home
• Product liability and general liability insurance; large statues can tip over and hurt someone
• Concrete and ceramic pieces can crack in freezing weather, so be clear about this with buyers in cold areas

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on whether suppliers ship direct or you hold a small home stock of best sellers. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at $800 to $4,000, depending on your range and customers.

Check your state's sales tax registration and online collection rules, whether you need a local business license, and any HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home. Also look at product and general liability insurance, since large statues can tip over.

Heavy, fragile items are easily damaged, so check freight options, packaging and who pays for breakage. Concrete and ceramic pieces can crack in freezing weather, so be clear with buyers in cold areas. Organizing orders well also helps.