Online jewelry boutique with market pop-ups

Gift buyers and people looking for distinctive pieces, found through social media, markets and word of mouth.

Markup on pieces you buy wholesale, source from designers or make yourself, plus extra for personalization such as engraving.

• Product photography and online listings
• Sales and customer service
• Good taste in styles that sell

• Sales tax registration with your state, and a local business license; check whether your city or county requires one for home-based or market sales
• Home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules if you store stock and pack orders at home
• Federal Trade Commission rules on describing metals, gemstones and lab-grown stones; check your listings are accurate
• Insurance for stock in transit and general liability, especially at events
• Returns, shipping losses and fraud on higher-value orders

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your initial stock, website or marketplace setup, photography and any market fees. There is no shop lease, but check insurance for stock in transit and at events.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $600 to $3,500, depending on your styles, pricing and how often you sell online and at markets, starting from around 8 hours a week. Revenue is before stock and shipping costs.

Check sales tax registration with your state and whether your city or county requires a business license. Also check home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules, Federal Trade Commission rules on describing metals and gemstones, and insurance.