Sauna showroom and supply shop

Local homeowners planning a home sauna, contractors and builders, and businesses such as gyms, spas and wellness studios that need equipment or replacement parts.

Retail margin on heaters, kits and accessories. Many shops also earn from referral partnerships with local electricians and builders who handle installation.

• Sales and consultative advice
• Product knowledge about heaters and sauna design
• Inventory and supplier management
• Customer service

• Local business license, zoning and a state seller's permit, so check with your city, county and state revenue department
• General liability and product liability insurance, plus property insurance for stock and display units
• Installation of electric or wood-burning heaters often needs a licensed electrician and may need permits, so check local rules before offering or recommending installs
• Lease costs and slow-moving inventory tie up cash, so start with a small stock and order popular items first

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, display units and opening stock. Lease costs and slow-moving inventory tie up cash, so starting with a small stock is advised.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, product range and mix of homeowner, contractor and business customers. This is revenue, not profit, so costs come out of it.

Check your local business license, zoning and state seller's permit with your city, county and state revenue department. Also check general and product liability insurance, plus local rules and permits for heater installs, which often need a licensed electrician, before offering or recommending them.