Handmade leather goods online shop

Individual shoppers looking for durable, giftable items, including people buying birthday, wedding and holiday gifts.

You sell each item at a price that covers materials, your time and online fees. Personalization and small gift sets can raise the average order value.

• Hand sewing and leatherworking
• Product photography with a phone
• Pricing and costing your time
• Customer service by message and email

• Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit for online and in-person sales, and how marketplace sales are handled
• Check your city or county for a business license and any home occupation rules, plus HOA or lease limits on workshop use
• Leather dyes, glues and cutting tools need safe storage and ventilation
• Consider product liability insurance, especially for craft fairs that may ask for proof of coverage
• Be careful with brand names or logos so you do not copy another company's protected designs

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools, leather and materials you buy and how you set up your online shop. Starting with a few simple products can help keep early spending down.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $200 to $3,000, depending on your product range, pricing and how many sales channels you use, such as your own site, Etsy and craft markets. The estimate assumes about 8 hours a week or more.

Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit and how marketplace sales are handled. Check your city or county for a business license and home occupation rules, plus HOA or lease limits. Also consider product liability insurance and avoid copying other brands' protected designs.