Candle shop with a small storefront

Local shoppers, tourists and gift buyers, plus people booking workshops for groups and parties.

Retail sales of candles and gift items, with extra income from workshops and corporate or wedding gift orders.

• Retail and stock management
• Merchandising and shop display
• Customer service and basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms, rent and bond, which are the biggest fixed costs, so read them carefully and consider legal advice
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus contents insurance
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff (check your state's scheme)
• Council approval for the premises and signage may be needed, so check with your local council
• Sales can be seasonal, with peaks at Christmas and gift occasions

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your shop fit-out, opening stock and lease terms. Rent and bond are usually the biggest fixed costs, so check the lease carefully before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and whether you run workshops. This is an estimate of sales, not profit. Sales can be seasonal, with peaks at Christmas and gift occasions.

Check your lease terms, rent and bond, and consider legal advice. Look at public liability, product liability and contents insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and whether your local council needs to approve the premises and signage.