Start an online curated gift shop

Shoppers buying presents for birthdays, holidays, weddings and new babies, plus people sending gifts to friends and family in other places.

You buy items at wholesale and sell at retail, keeping the difference after shipping, packaging and payment fees. Gift bundles and gift wrap can raise the average order.

• Choosing products people want
• Basic online store setup
• Photography and writing product descriptions
• Packing and shipping orders

• Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit and how it treats online sales into other states
• Many wholesalers want a resale certificate and an EIN before they will sell to you
• Check product safety rules for anything aimed at children, and avoid knock-off or trademarked designs
• Shipping costs, returns and breakage can eat into margins, so price with them in mind
• Holiday sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for quiet months
• Check general liability and product liability insurance options

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your opening stock, store setup and packaging. These are estimates, so your own figure will depend on how focused your range is and how much stock you buy first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your products, marketing and order volume. These are estimates only. Holiday sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for quieter months.

Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit and how it treats online sales into other states. Many wholesalers want a resale certificate and an EIN. Also check product safety rules for children's items and avoid trademarked designs.