Local light bulb supplier with delivery

Electricians, handymen, property managers, landlords, small shops, restaurants, offices and building contractors.

You sell at a markup over your wholesale cost. Regular accounts for repeat orders, such as a property manager restocking units, bring steady income. Delivery fees or minimum order sizes help cover your driving time.

• Sales and relationship building
• Knowing bulb types, bases, wattage and color temperature
• Inventory and order tracking
• Reliable local driving

• Check your state's rules on a resale certificate and on collecting sales tax; many places let you buy stock tax-free if you resell it
• Check with your city or county about a business license and, if you store stock at home, a home occupation permit and HOA or lease rules
• General liability and product liability insurance, plus commercial auto cover if you use a vehicle for deliveries
• Buy products that carry recognized safety marks such as UL or ETL listing, and check state efficiency and bulb disposal rules
• Fluorescent bulbs and some other types may need special recycling, so check local rules before taking returns
• Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so focus on convenience and service rather than price alone

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you carry and the storage you set up. These are estimates, so build a stock list and get wholesale quotes before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many trade and property customers you serve. Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so focus on convenience and service rather than price alone.

Check your state's resale certificate and sales tax rules, plus city or county business license requirements. Look into liability and commercial auto insurance, buy products with recognized safety marks such as UL or ETL, and check bulb disposal rules.