Working as a science education supplier is a rewarding and enjoyable activity for those who love science, enjoy learning, can teach and are good craftsman. Your job is identifying useful educational activities, buy the necessary supplies in wholesale price and sell your products to individuals and schools. You will be the supplier, but behind the scene you are also the teacher, the designer of experiments, writer of instructions and provider of curriculum. When you write instructions, make them interesting and exciting. In the introduction of each course, each experiment, and each project describe the purpose and the benefits of the activity to make everyone eager to learn.
Scientific Supplies Business
Your job is to educate, enjoy and make money. The direction of business depends on your skills and your interests. You can make money by selling in retail or wholesale or both. You can also make money by publishing (online or in print). Hosting small and large science events and science camps is becoming a hot market. You can also produce science kits and some laboratory supplies. Try everything you can, but focus on what you do best. You can learn and fine tune your business as you go.
Profit margin
Price markup or gross profit margin is usually about 20% up to 50% for each product depending on the order size. Following table show the typical gross profit margins based on the order size on each item*.
Order amount |
Expected gross profit |
Percentage |
$10 |
$5 |
50% |
$100 |
$40 |
40% |
$500 |
$150 |
30% |
$1000 |
$250 |
25% |
$2000 |
$450 |
22.5% |
$10000 |
$2000 |
20% |
* The 20% profit margin is recommended for large orders of one single product. If a large order is for small quantities of many items, then the profit margin is usually much higher.
The example above is only for the products you resell without any change. If you design your own products (such as science kits) or improve an existing product (such as adding instructions to it) then the profit margin will usually be between 30% and 70%.
Additional activities
When you work as a science education supplier, you must fill up your time with developing new products, writing instructions, designing advertisements, making models, writing curriculum, improving your website, gathering information and other activities that can contribute to your long term profitability. Hosting science shows, science parties and science camps are among well-paying side jobs.
Things to avoid
We all want to help others, but we should also be conscious about our business responsibilities and life commitments. Do not allow people hanging around your office and waste your valuable time. Customers who may buy a $1.00 item can easily waste $100 or more of your time. Evaluate your prospective customers before answering any question. Poor, unemployed or retired people have a lot of time to waste. They will get their checks at the end of the month regardless of how they spend their time. Some people think “talk is free”, but it isn’t if you have responsibilities. Avoid all those who their time is free, because they will not hesitate in wasting your time as much as they can.
Who qualifies?
To be a science education supplier you must have at least a bachelor degree or equivalent knowledge in general science or engineering. You need to know the basics of chemistry, biology, electricity, physics and some mechanics. Having any additional technical knowledge is a plus. That’s just for start. When you are in business, you will learn every day. As with any other business, you will also need some knowledge of management, accounting and law.