Home-made dry seasoning blends

Farmers market shoppers, home cooks buying online, gift buyers and a few local specialty shops.

Sell jars or pouches at a set price per unit at markets and online, with bundles and gift sets raising the average order.

• Recipe development and consistent taste
• Careful measuring and packing
• Basic selling and social media

• Cottage food rules differ by state, and some states cap annual sales or limit selling online or across state lines, so check yours
• Labels usually need ingredients and allergens listed; check your state's requirements
• Product liability or general liability insurance, and market vendors often need proof of cover
• Home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules if you run it from your house

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your ingredients, packaging, labels and market stall or website setup. These are estimates, so start with a few recipes and a small batch size to keep early spending down.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on how often you sell at markets, your online sales and your pricing. These are estimates, and the business can start from about 8 hours a week.

Check your state's cottage food rules, since some cap annual sales or limit online or cross-state selling. Also check label requirements for ingredients and allergens, product liability insurance, and any home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules.