The Branch Up Works business library
Find the guide for your trade.
See how each business works, what to sell first, how to price it, and where to look for customers. Open a guide to read it or try the numbers for that trade.
Online stores & brands
- Niche e-commerceChoose a first product, calculate the cost of each shipped order, and test an e-commerce store before committing to inventory.
- Apparel brandPlan a first apparel drop, test fit and demand, and price each garment with exchanges and fulfillment in mind.
- Secondhand apparelPlan a resale niche, buy against net proceeds, and develop a consistent process for inspection, condition photos and inventory.
- Beauty & personal carePlan a first beauty product, pressure-test costs, and build product pages with clear claims and labeling in mind.
- Pet suppliesChoose a focused pet-supply offer, compare size and shipping costs, and plan an online store with clear product instructions.
- Home décorPlan a cohesive home decor collection, account for breakage and dimensional shipping, and show scale clearly online.
- Jewelry & accessoriesChoose a jewelry collection, price it with real bench labor and materials, and write accurate product descriptions.
- Personalized giftsBuild a personalized gifts business around a narrow catalog, a proofing step, and arrival dates you can deliver.
- Crafts & hobby suppliesChoose a craft kit or hobby supply niche, price packing and sourcing, and build a catalog beginners can trust.
- Party & wedding suppliesLaunch a focused party supply kit with clear quantities, packing checks and deadlines based on the customer’s event date.
Food & retail
- RestaurantPlan a restaurant around one meal window, price your menu, and test neighborhood demand before committing to a full dining room.
- Furniture retailPlan a furniture store around a focused assortment, true landed cost, delivery economics, and a clear offer for local buyers.
- CateringBuild a catering business around a clear event package, per-guest pricing, realistic service capacity, and repeat venue or office partners.
- BakeryTest a bakery with a narrow product line, batch-based pricing, preorders and a production calendar that protects oven time.
- Coffee shopTest a coffee shop concept before committing to a lease. Model morning throughput, drink costs, repeat visits and counter workflow.
- Food truckTest food truck stops before buying a vehicle. Price a short menu, plan your serving capacity, and build a reliable weekly schedule.
- Meal prepPlan a prepared-meal service with a weekly cutoff, a short menu, batch pricing and pickup or delivery routes you can reliably manage.
- Specialty groceryChoose a specialty grocery assortment, measure basket economics and inventory turn, and test the recurring shopping trip before expanding.
- FloristPlan a florist launch around a focused arrangement menu, freshness and delivery costs, and repeat orders that keep inventory moving.
Home & building
- CarpentryStart a finish carpentry business with a narrow offer, better estimates, and a calendar that accounts for fabrication and installation.
- RoofingBuild a roofing offer around qualified inspections, clear estimates, crew capacity, and reliable customer follow-up.
- CleaningExplore the U.S. house-cleaning market, customer types, state tables, and the economics of a recurring route.
- LandscapingChoose your first services, account for equipment and weather, and build a dense route.
- PlumbingPlan a plumbing launch around qualified service calls, dispatch, clear pricing, and a manageable service area.
- HVACChoose an HVAC service model, plan for seasonal peaks, and turn maintenance calls into a schedule your technicians can actually serve.
- ElectricalLaunch an electrical contracting business with a focused service menu, qualified intake, and clear pricing for diagnostics and project work.
- PaintingBuild a painting business around consistent scopes, crew-day pricing, and first offers homeowners and landlords can compare.
- RemodelingStart a remodeling company with a manageable project type, defined scopes, milestone planning, and a change-order process.
Auto & personal services
- Auto repairPlan an independent auto repair shop around a focused service menu, diagnostic pricing, bay capacity, and a reliable estimate-to-invoice process.
- Auto detailingBuild a detailing menu that accounts for vehicle condition and travel, then test a profitable first offer and rebooking plan.
- Barber / salonChoose between a rented chair and your own shop, then price appointments, build a repeat client book, and measure chair utilization.
- Mobile mechanicPlan the service radius, dispatch minimum, on-site job mix, and fleet maintenance schedule for a mobile mechanic business.
- Tire shopChoose a tire shop’s first customer segment, model installed-set margins, and plan inventory, ordering and appointment capacity.
- Collision repairPlan a collision repair shop around documented repair capabilities, intake, repair planning, and cash tied up in work in progress.
- Pet groomingPlan a dog grooming service around coat type, safe appointment capacity, repeat bookings and the costs of shop or mobile work.
- Personal trainingBuild a personal training offer around a clear audience, paid coaching packages, venue costs and a schedule you can sustain.
- PhotographyChoose a photography niche, price shooting and editing hours, build a credible portfolio and quote a repeatable first package.