Artificial plant and flower storefront

Local homeowners, office and property managers, restaurants and hotels, and event decorators who want to see products before buying.

Retail markup on stock, plus higher-margin custom arrangements, trade accounts with decorators and offices, and seasonal and holiday sales.

• Retail merchandising and display
• Buying and managing inventory
• Customer service and selling
• Basic bookkeeping

• Commercial lease terms and deposits, so read them carefully before committing
• A local business license and a state sales tax permit: check your city, county and state
• General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Inventory ties up cash, and slow seasons can be tough, so keep a cash buffer
• Competition from big-box stores and online sellers, so plan how you will stand out

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, space and how much inventory you stock. These are estimates, so read lease terms and deposits carefully and keep a cash buffer for slow seasons.

Check a local business license and a state sales tax permit with your city, county and state. Also check general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire. Read your commercial lease carefully before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, stock and how you stand out from big-box stores and online sellers. Inventory ties up cash, and slow seasons can be tough. Expect about 35 hours a week at minimum.