Start a local sports card shop

Local collectors of all ages, parents, people selling inherited collections, and online buyers.

Retail margins on sealed product and supplies, higher margins on singles and graded cards, buying collections at a discount, plus event fees and online sales.

• Strong card and pricing knowledge
• Customer service and community building
• Inventory tracking
• Spotting fakes and grading issues

• Check your city or county business license and your state's sales tax registration
• Check zoning and any certificate of occupancy for the space
• Get general liability and property insurance, and consider coverage for high-value stock and theft
• Sealed product allocations can be limited and prices can swing, so avoid overstocking
• Some states and cities require secondhand dealer or pawn-style reporting when buying from the public, so check locally
• Leases are a long commitment, so negotiate terms carefully

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on the space, opening stock and fixtures. Leases are a long commitment, so negotiate terms carefully before you sign.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, stock and events. Sealed product allocations can be limited and prices can swing, so avoid overstocking.

Check your city or county business license, your state's sales tax registration, and zoning or certificate of occupancy for the space. Some states and cities require secondhand dealer or pawn-style reporting when buying from the public, so check locally.