Local canoe and kayak shop

Beginners, families, anglers, holidaymakers and keen paddlers living near rivers, lakes, bays or coast.

Margin on boats and gear, plus add-ons such as racks, paddles and safety kit. Some shops also earn from hire, repairs or lessons run with a qualified instructor.

• Product knowledge of paddle craft and safety gear
• Friendly, honest sales advice
• Stock buying and cash flow planning

• Stock is a large upfront cost, and sales are often seasonal, so plan your cash flow for the quiet months
• Lifejackets and safety gear must meet Australian standards and state rules differ, so check your state's marine authority
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus a shop fit-out and lease terms to check carefully
• Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to what you sell, including returns and repairs

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $200,000, depending on your stock levels, shop fit-out and lease terms. Stock is a large upfront cost, so these estimates are worth testing against supplier quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, range and the season. Sales are often seasonal, so plan your cash flow for quiet months. Running a shop typically takes around 40 hours a week or more.

Check that lifejackets and safety gear meet Australian standards, and note that state rules differ, so ask your state's marine authority. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, lease terms, and Australian Consumer Law guarantees on returns and repairs.