Start an online surgical and student kit store

Nursing, medical, dental and veterinary students, new clinicians, and small clinics, dental offices and mobile care providers buying for themselves or their practice.

Markup on each item sold, plus higher-margin bundles such as student starter kits and recurring restock orders from small practices.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Product knowledge and attention to detail
• Customer service and order handling

• Check which products count as medical devices under FDA rules and stick to items you can legally resell
• Some states require a license or permit to distribute certain medical devices, so check with your state board of pharmacy or health department
• Avoid prescription-only items unless you hold the right licensing
• General liability and product liability insurance, and supplier return policies for faulty or damaged goods
• Sterile products have expiry dates and storage needs, so check handling rules and your return policy
• Sales tax rules for online sellers differ by state, and some buyers such as clinics may have exemption certificates

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on whether you hold your own stock or use supplier drop-shipping, and on how much you spend on your website. These figures are estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your product range, pricing and how well you reach students, clinicians and small practices. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Check which products count as medical devices under FDA rules and stick to items you can legally resell. Some states require a license or permit to distribute certain devices, so check with your state. Avoid prescription-only items, and check sales tax rules for online sellers.