Online maternity and nursing clothing boutique

Expectant and new mothers, plus friends and family buying gifts for baby showers.

You sell items at a markup over wholesale cost. Extra income can come from bundles, gift sets and repeat customers who come back as their pregnancy progresses and for nursing.

• Choosing clothing that sells
• Basic product photography and listing writing
• Customer service, including sizing advice and returns

• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and a resale certificate for buying wholesale
• Check whether your city or county requires a business license, and whether your HOA or lease allows storing stock at home
• Returns and sizing problems can eat into profit, so set a clear return policy
• Get general liability or product liability insurance quotes, and be careful with any baby or children's items, which have extra safety rules

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how much stock you buy, how you build your store and whether you use your own site or a marketplace shop.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your niche, stock range and number of customers. The estimate assumes about 10 or more hours a week. Returns and sizing problems can eat into profit, so set a clear policy.

Check your state's sales tax registration and resale certificate for buying wholesale, plus any city or county business license and HOA or lease limits on home stock. Baby or children's items have extra safety rules. Also get liability insurance quotes.