Home-Based household goods wholesale reseller

Independent gift and home stores, convenience and discount stores, small offices, salons, property managers and other small businesses that buy in modest quantities.

You earn the margin between your bulk purchase price and your wholesale price, often with minimum order sizes and repeat orders from regular accounts.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Spreadsheets and basic bookkeeping
• Selling to business buyers
• Organizing stock and orders

• Check your state's rules on resale certificates, sales tax and any wholesale or business license
• Check your city or county for a home occupation permit, and your HOA or lease rules on storing inventory
• Product liability and general liability insurance, since you sell goods other companies make
• Some products, such as disinfectants or items for children, have safety and labeling rules, so check with the manufacturer and the relevant agency
• Cash is tied up in stock and slow-paying customers, so start with small orders

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of your first stock orders, storage setup and insurance. These are estimates, and starting with small orders can help keep cash from being tied up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your products, margins and how many local shops and businesses you sell to. Slow-paying customers can affect cash. These figures are estimates, not promises.

Check your state's rules on resale certificates, sales tax and any wholesale or business license. Check your city or county for a home occupation permit, plus HOA or lease rules on storing inventory, and look into product liability insurance.