Local industrial equipment supplier

Factories, machine shops, construction and building firms, and maintenance departments that want a reliable local contact.

Margin on each sale, or commission if you act as an independent rep for manufacturers. Regular reorders of consumables bring steady income, and larger machinery sales are less frequent.

• Sales and relationship building
• Technical knowledge of tools and machinery
• Quoting and basic bookkeeping
• Reliable delivery and follow-up

• Long payment terms: many business customers pay in 30 to 60 days, so plan your cash flow
• General liability and product liability insurance; larger customers often ask for a certificate of insurance
• Check your state's sales tax and resale certificate rules, and any local business license needed
• Check supplier agreements for territory limits and minimum purchase requirements
• Selling regulated or safety-critical equipment may carry extra obligations; check with the manufacturer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your vehicle needs, samples, insurance and any initial stock. Sourcing from manufacturers and distributors as orders come in can keep early outlay lower.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many customers you win and what they order. Many business customers pay in 30 to 60 days, so plan your cash flow. Expect about 20 or more hours a week.

Check general liability and product liability insurance, since larger customers often ask for a certificate of insurance. Also check your state's sales tax and resale certificate rules, any local business license, supplier territory limits and minimum purchases, and extra obligations for safety-critical equipment.