Online trade lampshade supplier

Interior designers, small lighting and decor retailers, Etsy and online shop owners, and hospitality or staging businesses.

You earn the margin between the supplier's wholesale price and your trade price, often with a minimum order value and free shipping above a set amount.

• Online selling and email outreach
• Basic website or catalog setup
• Building supplier relationships
• Clear product descriptions and photos

• Check your state's seller's permit and resale certificate rules, and how sales tax applies to out-of-state orders
• Supplier reliability: late or damaged shipments land on your reputation, so order samples and ask about returns
• Check agreements on whether suppliers allow direct shipping to your customers under your branding
• Check whether your city or county requires a business license for an online business run from home
• General liability insurance and clear return terms for wrong sizes or damage

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on sample orders, website or catalog setup and how much stock you hold. Letting suppliers ship direct keeps the stock you carry small.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many trade buyers you win and how wide your range is. Plan on at least about 8 hours a week.

Check your state's seller's permit and resale certificate rules, and how sales tax applies to out-of-state orders. Also check whether your city or county requires a business license, and whether suppliers allow direct shipping under your branding.