Online supplies business for small inns and rental hosts

Independent hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rental hosts and small restaurants that want easy reordering without big distributor minimums.

You mark up wholesale products. Repeat orders from the same properties, bundles such as turnover kits, and bulk pricing for larger orders help raise the order size.

• Sales and relationship building
• Organizing orders and inventory
• Basic website and email skills
• Negotiating with suppliers

• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates, so you can buy wholesale without paying tax
• Wholesale accounts may require a business license or EIN, so confirm what each supplier asks for
• Storing stock at home may need a home occupation permit, and HOA or lease rules may apply
• General liability and product liability insurance are worth checking, especially for toiletries and bedding
• If you private-label toiletries, check FDA cosmetic labeling rules before selling
• Shipping bulky items like linens can eat margins, so price delivery carefully

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website setup and supplier requirements. Treat this as an estimate and price shipping carefully for bulky items like linens.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your customer base, product range and how often buyers reorder. These are estimates, and you should plan for at least 10 hours a week.

Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates, and confirm whether suppliers need a business license or EIN. If you store stock at home, check home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules. Check FDA labeling if you private-label toiletries.