Online gift wrap and packaging store

Gift givers, crafters, and small businesses like boutiques, bakeries and online sellers that need packaging.

You buy in bulk from wholesalers and sell at a markup, with higher-margin bundles, custom-printed items and bulk orders for businesses.

• Choosing products that sell
• Basic online store setup
• Packing and shipping orders neatly
• Simple product photography

• Check with your state about a seller's permit or sales tax registration, and how sales tax applies to online orders
• Check whether your city or county requires a business license, plus any home occupation or HOA rules if you store stock at home
• Bulky, light items can make shipping costly, so work out postage before setting prices
• Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan cash flow and storage around the holidays
• General liability insurance is worth checking, especially if you sell to businesses

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your opening stock, store setup and storage. Bulky, light items can make shipping costly, so work out postage before setting prices.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on your products and customers. Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan cash flow and storage around the holidays. The estimate assumes about 10 hours a week at minimum.

Check with your state about a seller's permit or sales tax registration, and whether your city or county requires a business license. Also check home occupation or HOA rules if you store stock at home, and general liability insurance.