Your total entry cost has two parts: a one-time onboarding/management package and your initial inventory budget. For a full-service, compliance-first model, onboarding commonly ranges from about $5,000 to $8,000 depending on scope (brand approvals, supplier onboarding, listing setup, account operations). Inventory typically starts around $5,000 to $10,000 so you can test multiple SKUs, hold enough stock to win the Buy Box, and replenish winners quickly. Investors with larger budgets ($20,000 to $100,000+) can scale faster by expanding the SKU list and cycling inventory more aggressively. Unlike low-capital retail dropshipping, this model uses real, authorized inventory and proper invoices, which dramatically reduces suspension risk and improves sell-through predictability. Because you are selling recognized brands with existing demand, units tend to turn over faster, helping cash flow. Many stores see operating costs begin to be covered within the first 3–6 months, with timeline variability based on category, budget, and stock limits.