In general, the income limit for SSI is the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which is $733 per month for an individual and $1,100 per month for a couple in 2016. You can earn that much per month and maintain your benefits. Starting a retail store is a difficult , expensive, and unfortunately has an extremely high rate of failure for small independents. That is why 95% of business you see now are either chains or franchises where massive buying power and sharing of costs is possible. I am not saying this to say it is a stupid dream and forget it- not at all- I am saying htis to say there may be a way to do what you want and to avoid the pitfalls and not risk your SSI to start-
Start out by getting a small supply of herbs or if you are so inclined starting a small (even indoor) herb gardens of a few specific ones thta you know to be highly used. Look through Amazon or retailers like Sam's Club or Costco for packaging materials (or possibly eBay as a source for all?). Start out, instead of opening a retail store, by setting up stands at farmers markets or outdoor market type places- particularly the type that specialize in natural/artisan sourced/or home style products and crafts). It takes very little time to get known at these type of places and for minimal fees you can set a table (or find somebody with a table and share/split costs) where you can learn how to price your products competitively, learn how to market and package the products in an attractive way, and really learn the market for your area. As you learn, you adjust your product line, and can look at places like
Etsy to sell online for reasonable fees and make some money.
You may start doing it one or two days a month, but as you learn about the area and where the markets are, you can likely do it several days a week if you choose, and online anytime. As you get bigger, you purchase displays and better inventory / equipment and start making real money and have control of how much you want to call "earnings"- anything over the threshold make sure you invest into better inventory and equipment so you are not "earning too much". If you become very successful, you will have a lot of the needed stuff purchased already to open a small retail outlet, and will know how much money it is possible for you to earn and have a customer base to tell you are opening a store so come shop there. By the time you risk real money and risk your SSI having a couple three years experience will be a huge help and prevent many of the pitfalls that come from opening a retail store without enough firsthand knowledge of the retail market for your product.
It also allows while you are learning, if having a bad day or bad week to simply not go set up - and to give yourself the needed break without risking mental health or financial ruin. There is nothing wrong with starting small and learning and earning your way into a full retail store- though I know many that never bother with the retail store because the expenses outweigh the benefits but they make a reasonable living on the secondary market and they are still their own boss and their own business. It may be a way to try out your dream. o rit may not be of any interest to you at all in trying this way, in which case I hope you do find a way to make your dreams happen and find happiness with what you are doing for your life anyway
