Open a wicker and woven home decor shop

Local households, people furnishing porches and sunrooms, interior decorators, gift shoppers and small businesses like cafes and B&Bs.

Retail markup on furniture and accessories, with extra from special orders, bundles and delivery fees. Rent and stock are the main costs.

• Retail and customer service
• Buying and stock control
• Visual merchandising
• Basic bookkeeping

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and zoning, which you should check with your city or county
• Sales tax registration and local business license requirements
• General liability and property insurance for stock and customers on site
• Furniture is slow to sell and takes up space, so keep stock levels realistic

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, deposits and the stock you carry. Check commercial lease terms, deposits and zoning with your city or county before you sign anything.

Plan on at least about 35 hours a week. Useful skills include retail and customer service, buying and stock control, visual merchandising and basic bookkeeping. Keep stock levels realistic, as furniture is slow to sell and takes up space.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, your stock mix and special orders. That is revenue, not profit, so plan around rent and other costs. Furniture sells slowly, so cash flow needs care.