24 Pros & Cons Of Starting A Provision Store Business (2024)
Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.
Trying to understand the pros and cons of starting a provision store business?
Here are all of the pros and cons of selling provision store products online:
Pros Of A Provision Store Business
Pros | Description |
---|---|
Rewarding work |
Starting a provision store business can be really rewarding work. After all, you are solving an immediate issue for your customer and you're working on something you truly care about. |
Meaningful business connections |
You never know who you will meet as a provision store business. This could be the start of an incredible business opportunity! |
Daily physical activity |
Provision Store Business's typically involve a much greater degree of movement than other lines of work. Most days, you will spend your day walking, running errands for your business, and performing a multitude of tasks. This can have a positive impact on energy levels and your overall health. |
Amazing perks and discounts |
Working in the provision store business comes with its perks! As a seller for these products/services, you typically also get to enjoy industry perks and discounts. |
You are your own boss! |
With starting a provision store business, you are the one to make decisions for almost all of the operations. Calling the shots can be empowering and liberating! |
Local Community |
One of the best parts of starting a provision store business is that you can develop a local following by selling your products at craft shows, farmers' markets, or even local storefront businesses! This gives you access to additional revenue streams and loyal customers. |
Higher likelihood of getting referrals |
This business is all about referrals, which can be a a very impactful way to attract and retain customers. It's critical that you have a great referral program in place that incentivizes your customers to tell their friends about your product. |
Location is everything! |
When operating a physical storefront, the location often speaks for itself and serves as it's very own marketing tool! It's important to choose a location in a high traffic area so you can spark curiosity and get people through your door! |
Face to face interaction |
If you are the type of individual that thrives on human interaction, then this is the business for you! With a provision store business, you will be hands-on with customers and or employees every day. |
Simple business model |
A provision store business has the advantage of a simple business model, which makes launching and building the business more seamless. |
You get to do something you truly love |
With starting a provision store business, you get to put your energy into something you are truly passionate about! You'll find yourself devoting as much time and energy as possible into the business to make it successful. |
Easy to Learn The Business |
When starting your provision store business, there is a ton of information readily available to you online (Facebook groups, Youtube videos, Starter Story etc). This will help you get the business started and answer any questions, doubts or concerns you may have. |
Never a dull moment |
With starting a provision store business, there is truly never a dull moment. Your job offers a lot of variety and allows you to meet interesting people from all walks of life. |
Cons Of A Provision Store Business
Cons | Description |
---|---|
Crowded Space |
Competition is high when it comes to your provision store business, so it's important that you spend a good amount of time analyzing the market and understanding where the demand lies. |
Finding The Right Supplier |
Most businesses in this space go the supplier/manufacturer route, which isn't a bad thing! However, finding the right supplier can take a lot of time, energy and trial/error. If done properly, this process can save you months (if not years) of time and energy. More on this below in the "finding a supplier" section. |
Motivation of employees |
If you plan to have a sales/content team on board, finding creative ways to motivate them can be a challenge. It's important that you're able to offer great incentives and a good work environment for your employees. |
Low margins |
The gross margins for your provision store business are typically around 43%, which can make it more challenging to incur new expenses and maintain profitability. |
High employee turnover |
In the provision store business, employee turnover is often high, which can be quite costly and time consuming for your business. It's important to try and avoid this as much as possible by offering competitive pay, benefits, and a positive work environment. |
Taxes |
As a provision store business, you typically pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high. It's important to understand what you will be paying in taxes each year so you can determine if the work you're taking on is worth it. |
High overhead expenses |
With starting a provision store business, there are overhead expenses that come with selling a physical product. You will want to make sure you strategically budget for these overhead costs. We discuss this more in the startup costs section below. |
You may need to charge sales tax |
If you are selling your products in various states, you may be required to charge sales tax. Although this may not impact your financials specifically, it can be a headache to create a process and procedure for this. To learn more about sales tax, check out this article |
Time commitment |
With starting a provision store business, all responsibilities and decisions are in your hands. Although this is not necessarily a negative thing, work life can take over at times. This can place a strain on friends and family and add to the pressure of launching a new business. |
You might struggle financially (at first)! |
If you bootstrap your business or choose not to pay yourself (or pay yourself less than you were making at your corporate job), this can be financially taxing. It's important to adjust your lifestyle and set a plan for yourself so you don't find yourself in a stressful situation. |
More of a challenge to run your business from home! |
Running your business from the comfort of your own home is a big appeal for many entrepreneurs. With a provision store business, you are more likely to run your business out of your office or storefront space. |
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
![](https://i.imgur.com/KJaiDtN.png)
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings