Creative business ideas you run from your own premises
67 ideas
These 68 creative business ideas all rely on having a dedicated space of your own, whether that's a studio, workshop, unit or shopfront. They suit people with a craft or skill who want clients to come to them, or who need room for equipment, noise or messy materials.
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
Full-time studio painter selling through galleries
Rent a studio space, build a body of work and sell through galleries, art fairs, commissions and your own exhibitions.
- A$1.5k-7.5k
- 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
Glass blowing from a shared hot shop
Make vessels, ornaments and commissions by hiring time at an existing glass studio, with no furnace of your own.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- 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
Small branding studio
Run a small team offering brand strategy, naming and full identity systems for growing businesses.
- A$3k-15k
- 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
About these ideas
You might look at band rehearsal rooms in a small unit, a painting studio with classes and workshops, or a bespoke tailoring studio. Before anything else, work out what rent and fit-out will realistically cost, and how many paying customers or bookings you need to cover them. Check the lease terms, zoning and council requirements for your type of activity, as well as insurance and any noise or ventilation needs. Start by comparing the ideas on set-up cost and how quickly you could earn.
More ideas
- Bridal and formalwear dressmaker
- Documentary and brand film studio
- Glass etching for shops, offices and trade
- 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
- Stained glass commissions and repairs
- Full-time sculptor with a rented studio
- Vehicle and shopfront decal studio
- Small full-service advertising agency
- Custom tee shop with screen printing
- Photography school with a small studio
- Glass awards and trophy engraving workshop
- Tattoo artist renting a studio chair
- Own tattoo and piercing studio
- Photo restoration and archive 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
- Photography courses in a small studio
- 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
- Single rehearsal room in a shared space
- Flamenco school with its own studio
Questions
Do I need council approval to run a creative business from commercial premises?
It often depends on the local council and the type of activity. Check zoning, permitted use, signage rules and any noise or fumes requirements before signing a lease. Your council planning team and the landlord can tell you what applies to your unit.
What should I check before signing a lease for a studio or workshop?
Look at the lease length, rent reviews, exit options, permitted use, and who pays for repairs and outgoings. Ask whether you can fit out the space and what must be reinstated at the end. Getting a solicitor to review the lease is worth considering.
How can I keep costs down when starting a creative business with premises?
Consider a shared or short-term space first, buy used equipment, and test demand with classes, hire or pre-sales before a big fit-out. Compare quotes for insurance and utilities, and work out your break-even point before committing to a longer lease.