Neighborhood pet supply store

Local dog and cat owners, plus people with fish, birds or small animals who want advice and products they can't get at a big chain.

You buy stock at wholesale and sell at retail. Repeat food purchases, treats and accessories bring regular customers, and some shops add a loyalty program or local delivery.

• Knowing pet food and products
• Customer service
• Stock ordering and budgeting
• Comfortable around animals

• Sales tax registration with your state and a local business license, check with your city or county
• Selling live animals may need extra permits or follow state and local rules, check before you decide to stock them
• General liability insurance and a lease you can afford if sales start slowly
• Competition from big chains and online sellers on price, so plan how you will stand out
• Tying up cash in stock, start with a small range of fast sellers

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Starting with a small range of fast sellers can keep cash from being tied up.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, product range and how well you stand out from big chains and online sellers. Revenue is before rent, stock and other costs.

Check sales tax registration with your state and a local business license with your city or county. Also check general liability insurance, a lease you can afford, and extra permits or rules if you want to sell live animals.