Are permits or licenses needed to sell on Etsy?
I'm not an expert but can share my experiences. I encourage you to consult with a small business attorney. At the very least, take a look at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s guide for starting an online business:More Than Just a Seller - How to Start a Business on an Online Marketplace. Then take a look at their guide to starting a small business. It explains steps to legalize your business at federal and state levels :Choose & Register Your Business. Also check out Etsy’s guide to starting a business with them: Beginner's Guide to Selling on EtsyWhen I started on Etsy I did not obtain any permits, licenses, etc because it was more like a hobby and I didn't expect to really turn the shop into a profitable business. I simply set up the shop and began selling. This is the case with many sellers. I've since decided to legitimize my business and have also begun selling in-person at craft shows, festivals, etc. I registered my business with my home state (free of charge) as a sole proprietorship (you might decide a different business structure works for you) and now I am expected to pay quarterly taxes. I also registered my business/trade name with my county, since I operate as The Washi Pot and not my own name (costs $50). If you have employees or depending on which business structure you choose, you'll need to apply for EIN for federal tax purposes. Since I'm a sole proprietorship I don't need one and taxes are associated with my ss# rather than a separate id#. In my state I’m not required to obtain a permit or certificate for what I sell and neither would a photographer. Something I haven't done yet, but might do is trademark my business name (costs about $300). I'm still investigating whether it makes sense for me to do this. I’m not too familiar with copyrighting, but I know some photographers do this to protect their work. There have been instances where Etsy seller have had their artwork copied or used without permission.Best of luck to you as you start your new business!
Is it possoble to make a living buying and selling on eBay?
Absolutely man but would I quit my day job immediately? Nope, because you can get started right away without quitting. Start with a budget of $10.00/$20.00 and go to garage sales this weekend find cheap stuff you think might sell. If you find an item to buy at 25 cents and can sell it for $3.00 ( customer always pay shipping) figure safely after fee’s a $2.25 profit.To make $7500 a month find 3333 items like that and do the same thing. Now of course I am simplifying this, but it is how to think about it. Small items that sell on eBay are what I call “Impulse Buys”. SO many buying junkies out there so many $5.00 dollars here $10.00 dollars there to grab up.The “Impulse Buyer” is just one market. All kinds of cool nick knacks, specialized items, coffee cups, stupid looking froggies, monkeys,and on and on. Study up on online impulse buyers and find those products you can make large margins on selling to them.Collector stuff sells all kinds of markets for all kinds of items. You know it is like anything else the better you get at it the more money you will make.You can buy wholesale stuff and sell one at a time. Look at all the stupid stuff that sells on the counters of 7–11. This here ties back to impulse buyers some, but who is to say the next pet rock is emerging?Bottom line is if you can make 2.00 free and clear profit on an item and sell 5,000 of them in a month you made $10,000.Easier said then done? Nah just got to get started and get good at what you do. The beauty of it is you can start with $5.00 budget and head out to the yard sale this weekend … Buy a candle for a quarter and sell it to a candle lover for $5.00 - that description you write up just might have the words they want to hear. See that cute little ceramic frog for 50 cents? May be there is a frog lover on eBay willing to buy for $5.00. OH WAIT you got good at this that ceramic frog is actually a collector worth $25.00.. Wait you still have $4.25 budget from the original $5.00. Look at that old set of cards, cigar box, sexy lamp, or WHAT???Anyway be sure when you write that description YOU….SELL THE SIZZLE NOT THE STEAK!