Online workplace safety supplies store

Small contractors, warehouses, restaurants, property managers, farms and other employers who need to restock safety gear.

Markup on each product sold, plus higher-margin items like custom signs and bundled kits. Repeat orders from the same employers are the goal.

• Basic online store setup
• Product research and supplier sourcing
• Understanding which products suit which trades
• Customer service by email or phone

• Check whether your state requires a seller's permit and how to handle resale certificates from business customers
• Check that products carry the right standards markings (for example ANSI or OSHA-relevant ratings) and don't make compliance claims you can't back up
• Product liability insurance, as faulty protective gear can cause serious injury
• Returns, shipping costs and thin margins when competing with big distributors

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your store setup, how much stock you hold and whether you use dropshipping or a wholesaler. Many sellers hold little or no stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your product range, pricing and how many small employers you reach. This is revenue before costs, and margins can be thin against big distributors.

Check whether your state requires a seller's permit and how to handle resale certificates from business customers. Check products carry the right standards markings and avoid compliance claims you can't back up. Also look at product liability insurance.