Online leather supplier for makers

Hobby leatherworkers, craft sellers, small workshops making belts, wallets, bags and holsters, plus bootmakers and upholsterers.

You earn the markup between bulk hide prices and the price per square foot, cut piece or bundle. Repeat customers who reorder the same leather help the most.

• Knowing leather types and grades
• Inventory and order tracking
• Online selling and product photos
• Customer service

• Check your state's sales tax registration and whether you need a resale certificate for buying stock
• Check your city or county business license rules and any home occupation permit or HOA/lease limits for storing stock at home
• Hides are expensive and slow to sell, so avoid over-buying one type or color
• Check that suppliers can document the origin of their leather and that you follow any rules on exotic skins (these can be restricted)
• General liability and product or stock insurance are worth getting quotes for

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many hides you buy, your storage setup and your online store. Hides are expensive and slow to sell, so avoid over-buying one type or color.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range, pricing and how well you reach hobbyists and small workshops. These are revenue estimates, not profit.

Check your state's sales tax registration and resale certificate rules, plus city or county business license and home occupation or HOA limits for storing stock. Also check that suppliers can document leather origin, and any restrictions on exotic skins.