Online music box and gift store

Collectors, people buying gifts for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and holidays, and shoppers looking for a sentimental present.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail. You can add engraving, custom tunes or gift wrapping for a higher price per order.

• Product photography and listing writing
• Packing fragile items carefully
• Customer service by email or chat
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking

• Sales tax: check your state's rules on registering, collecting and getting a resale certificate for wholesale buying
• Licensed designs (such as popular characters) should come only from authorized suppliers, as counterfeits can bring legal trouble
• If items are aimed at children, check whether federal children's product safety rules apply
• Fragile goods: budget for good packaging and shipping insurance, since breakage can eat into profits
• Check home occupation, HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home
• Sales often peak around the holidays, so plan your cash flow for slower months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how much stock you hold and your store setup. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on your range, marketing and seasonal demand.

Check your state's rules on registering and collecting sales tax and on resale certificates. Buy licensed designs only from authorized suppliers. If items are aimed at children, check whether federal children's product safety rules apply, and check home occupation, HOA or lease rules.

You'll need product photography and listing writing, careful packing of fragile items, customer service and basic bookkeeping. Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. Budget for good packaging and shipping insurance, and plan cash flow around holiday peaks.