Online party supplies store

Parents and hosts who want a complete themed set delivered, plus people planning events who prefer to order ahead.

Margin on products sold, with extra earnings from bundled party kits and custom items such as personalized banners.

• Online selling and basic marketing
• Product photography and listings
• Inventory and shipping organization
• Customer service by email or chat

• Sales tax rules for online sales, which vary by state, so check your state's revenue department
• Balloons and bulky items can be costly to ship, so test shipping rates before pricing
• Home business rules: check any home occupation permit, HOA or lease limits on storing stock
• General liability or product liability insurance, especially for items aimed at children
• Marketplace fees and returns, and licensed character goods that may be restricted

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your opening stock, website or marketplace setup, photography and packaging. Starting with a niche, such as themed birthday kits, can keep inventory costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on your niche, marketing and shipping costs (from about 8 hours a week). Balloons and bulky items can be costly to ship. These figures are estimates, not guarantees.

Check your state revenue department for online sales tax rules, and any home occupation permit, HOA or lease limits on storing stock. Look into general or product liability insurance, marketplace fees, returns, and restrictions on licensed character goods.