Home-Based surgical supplies distributor

Independent clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, specialty practices (for example podiatry, dermatology or orthopedics) and small hospitals that want a more personal supplier.

You buy at wholesale or contract price and sell at a markup, with repeat orders from clinics on a monthly or quarterly cycle. Some manufacturers also pay rebates for volume.

• Sales and relationship building
• Careful order and paperwork handling
• Learning product specifications and clinical terms

• Check whether your state requires a wholesale or medical device distributor license, as rules differ a lot by state
• Check FDA rules for distributors of medical devices, including product labeling and recall handling
• Avoid selling prescription drugs or controlled items, which have much stricter rules
• General liability and product liability insurance, which many buyers will ask to see
• Check HOA or lease rules if you run the business from home
• Large health systems often buy through group purchasing contracts, so target smaller independent buyers first

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your setup, supplier accounts and insurance. Orders are often shipped directly from the manufacturer or a larger distributor, so you may hold little or no stock.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many clinics you win. Large health systems often buy through group purchasing contracts, so targeting smaller independent buyers first may help.

Check whether your state requires a wholesale or medical device distributor license, and FDA rules for device distributors, including labeling and recall handling. Avoid prescription drugs or controlled items, and check insurance and HOA or lease rules.