Creative business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000
63 ideas
A bigger budget opens up creative businesses that need premises, specialist equipment or a skilled team. These 63 ideas suit people who already have a craft or trade skill and want to turn it into something with real capacity, such as an own glass blowing studio and gallery, a bespoke tailoring studio or a documentary and brand film studio.
Full-time wedding photography business
Run a full-time wedding photography brand with premium packages, albums and a second shooter.
- A$8k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Fashion label selling to boutiques
Design seasonal collections from a small studio and sell them to independent shops as well as direct to shoppers.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small production company with a studio space
Run a small team from a rented studio, making commissioned films, ads and branded content for clients.
- A$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small independent art gallery
Rent a small space, show local artists and earn commission when their work sells.
- A$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke suit tailor with a small studio
Make suits and shirts to measure for men in a small fitting studio, plus alterations for steady income.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Scrapbooking shop with craft nights
Open a small local shop for scrapbook supplies and run paid craft nights that bring hobbyists together.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Workwear and club embroidery shop
Run a small unit with a multi-head machine, producing uniforms and promo items in bulk for businesses and clubs.
- A$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke fashion atelier with a small team
Run a small studio with fitting rooms where you and a seamstress make made-to-measure garments for private clients.
- A$15k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Your own small tattoo studio
Open a small licensed studio, tattoo your own clients and perhaps rent chairs to one or two other artists.
- A$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Airbrush supplies shop with demo corner
Open a small specialist shop where customers can try airbrushes, get advice and buy paints and compressors in person.
- A$30k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Taxidermy studio for collectors and institutions
Run a small studio making mounts and display pieces for hunters, collectors, schools and decorators.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Silver repairs and commissions workshop
Run a small studio or shopfront repairing silver and making custom pieces for locals, jewellers and gift shops.
- A$6k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Aboriginal art gallery shopfront
Run a small gallery selling authentic Aboriginal art to tourists, collectors and businesses, bought ethically from art centres and artists.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Guitar and violin repair workshop
Repair, set up and restore guitars, violins and other stringed instruments from a small rented workshop.
- A$10k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small video production company with a studio
Run a small team and rented studio producing brand films, ads and corporate videos for bigger clients.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Own glass blowing studio and gallery
Run your own furnace studio, selling your work, taking commissions and offering paid have-a-go sessions.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Private appointment-only tattoo studio
Open your own small studio for custom, appointment-only tattoo work and set your own style and prices.
- A$20k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Interior design studio for small businesses
Design cafes, salons, offices and shopfronts from a small studio with a material library.
- A$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Rented photography studio with walk-in clients
Run a dedicated studio space for portraits, commercial shoots and hire to other creatives.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Sculptor for public and corporate commissions
Run a workshop making larger sculptures for councils, developers, businesses and private clients.
- A$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Rented photography studio
Run a small studio for portraits, commercial shoots and product work, with controlled light and a space clients can visit.
- A$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
School band instrument rental supplier
Supply and maintain hire instruments for school music programs and community bands.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Documentary and brand film studio
Run a small crew making longer brand films, adverts and documentaries for organisations and broadcasters.
- A$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Glass etching for shops, offices and trade
Etch privacy patterns, logos and signage onto glass doors, windows and splashbacks for businesses and builders.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Before you commit, work out what your money actually buys: a fit-out, a kiln, cameras or a lease deposit. Check how many paying customers you would need to cover rent and equipment costs each month. Look into council zoning, insurance and any licences your chosen idea may require, and talk to a few potential customers first.
More ideas
- Decorating studio with sample library
- Small design studio on monthly retainers
- Product design studio with prototype workshop
- Bespoke tailoring studio
- Tailoring studio with a shopfront
- Pottery studio with weekly classes and open sessions
- Ballet school with your own studio
- Art studio with classes, memberships and hire
- Model making workshop with laser cutting
- Vehicle and shopfront decal studio
- Small full-service advertising agency
- Custom tee shop with screen printing
- Photography school with a small studio
- Boutique vinyl and physical releases label
- Glass awards and trophy engraving workshop
- Pop-up chamber opera company
- Touring opera for regional towns and community venues
- Own tattoo and piercing studio
- Costume hire and sales shop
- Modelling agency with a small office and studio
- Craft school in a small rented studio
- Custom glass neon sign workshop
- Bookbinding and restoration studio
- Set design and build studio
- Conservation studio for galleries and collectors
- Portrait studio in rented premises
- Art school studio with a timetable
- Home longarm quilting service
- Mail-in longarm quilting service
- Local photo lab shopfront
- Painting studio with classes and workshops
- Jewellery workshop for shops and custom orders
- Own portfolio and headshot studio
- Small animation studio for ads and brand films
- Vehicle graphics and signage workshop
- Bead wholesale unit with trade counter
- Sewing school with its own studio
- Band rehearsal rooms in a small unit
- Flamenco school with its own studio
Questions
What should I check before spending over $20,000 on a creative business?
Start by testing demand with real customers, such as pre-sales, commissions or enquiries. Then compare your likely monthly income against rent, equipment finance and insurance. It is also worth asking an accountant how the costs and any loan would affect your finances.
Do I need special approvals to run a studio or workshop in Australia?
Often there are things to check. Councils may have zoning or development rules for studios, workshops and customer visits, and noisy or hot work like glass can raise extra questions. Contact your local council, your landlord and your insurer before signing a lease.
Is it better to rent premises or start smaller and grow?
It depends on your idea. Some, like a glass studio or dance school, need dedicated space from the start. Others can begin in a shared or short-term space. Compare lease terms, fit-out costs and how easily you could exit if sales are slower than hoped.