Tea blender supplying cafés and local shops

Independent cafés, restaurants, gift shops, health food stores and local grocers, plus some direct customers.

Wholesale prices per pound or per retail pack on repeat orders, with higher margins on retail sales through your own channels.

• Consistent recipe and batch production
• Pricing wholesale and retail
• Selling to shop and café owners
• Food safety and record keeping

• Health department permits, inspections and any state food manufacturer registration; requirements differ by state and county
• FDA food facility registration and labeling rules; check whether your size or situation has any exemptions
• General liability and product liability insurance, which shops often ask to see
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire help
• Buying ingredients from reputable suppliers and keeping batch records in case of a recall

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your rented kitchen or unit, equipment, ingredients and packaging. Costs vary with the batch sizes you produce and the products you offer.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many cafés and shops you supply, your wholesale pricing and any online or market sales on the side. These are estimates only.

Check health department permits, inspections and any state food manufacturer registration, as these differ by state and county. Also check FDA food facility registration and labeling rules, and whether any exemptions apply to your size or situation.