Neighbourhood barber shop

Local men and boys, from school-age kids to office workers and older regulars, plus people wanting a beard tidy or a shave.

Fixed price per service (cut, beard trim, shave, combos). Extra income can come from chair rental to other barbers and selling grooming products.

• Qualified barbering and clipper skills
• Customer service and chatting with clients
• Basic bookkeeping and managing a lease

• Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation insurance if you hire staff
• Council and health rules for hairdressing and skin-penetrating or shaving services vary by state, so check with your local council and state health department
• Hygiene and sterilising standards for razors and tools
• Lease terms and fit-out costs, check these before signing
• Whether barbers renting a chair are genuinely independent contractors or employees, check with the Fair Work Ombudsman or the ATO

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the size of the shopfront, lease terms, fit-out, and how many chairs and tools you buy. Check lease terms and fit-out costs before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on location, the number of chairs, your pricing and how many regulars you build. The estimate assumes about 35 hours a week.

Things to check include council and health rules for hairdressing and shaving, which vary by state, hygiene and sterilising standards for razors and tools, public liability insurance, workers compensation if you hire, and whether chair renters are genuinely contractors.