Home-Based specialty tea wholesaler

Independent cafés, small grocers, gift and gourmet shops, yoga studios, B&Bs and small hotels in your area.

You buy in bulk at a lower price per pound and sell at wholesale prices with a margin. Repeat orders from regular accounts bring steady income, and wholesale prices can be tiered by order size.

• Knowing tea types and flavor profiles
• Sales and relationship building
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking
• Attention to detail on labeling

• Many states restrict or ban repackaging food at home, so check whether you need a licensed commercial space or a shared kitchen
• FDA food labeling rules, including ingredients and allergen statements for flavored blends
• General liability and product liability insurance
• Home occupation permit, HOA or lease limits on storage and deliveries
• Sales tax: wholesale sales to resellers are often exempt, but check your state's resale certificate rules
• Tying up cash in stock that may go stale

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how much tea stock you buy, your packaging and labeling supplies, and whether you need a shared kitchen or other licensed space.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many ccafé, grocer and gift shop customers you win and the size of their orders. Cash can be tied up in stock that may go stale.

Things to check include whether your state restricts or bans repackaging food at home, FDA labeling rules including allergen statements for flavored blends, home occupation permits, HOA or lease limits, and your state's resale certificate rules for wholesale sales.