Online niche tool supplier for trades and shops

Small contractors, trade crews, independent hardware and farm stores, and trade schools.

You buy at wholesale and sell at a markup, with better pricing for bigger orders. Margins per item are usually modest, so repeat customers and larger orders matter most.

• Sales and negotiating with suppliers
• Knowing your chosen trade's tools
• Organizing inventory and shipping
• Basic bookkeeping

• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates, since wholesale sales are often tax-exempt only with the right paperwork
• Some brands restrict who can sell their tools or set minimum advertised prices, so read dealer agreements
• Buy only from authorized sources to avoid counterfeit tools
• Lithium battery tools may have special shipping rules, so check with your carrier
• Check zoning, HOA and lease rules before storing inventory at home
• Get product liability and general liability insurance quotes
• Inventory ties up cash, so start with fast-moving items

Estimates typically run around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your niche, the stock you buy and your website setup. Inventory ties up cash, so the idea suggests starting with fast-moving items.

Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates. Read dealer agreements for brand restrictions, check shipping rules for lithium battery tools, and check zoning, HOA and lease rules before storing inventory at home.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your niche, customers and order sizes. The idea assumes at least about 15 hours a week, and stock that sells slowly can tie up cash.