Handmade leather goods for shops

Boutiques, gift and homeware shops, tourist outlets, hospitality venues wanting branded items and small brands needing a local maker.

Wholesale price per item with minimum orders, plus custom or branded runs for businesses. Higher prices are possible for well-made, locally made goods.

• Leatherworking: cutting, stitching and finishing
• Product design and consistent quality
• Pricing your time and materials
• Selling to retailers

• Check council rules for running a workshop at home or renting a unit, including noise and zoning
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• If you say 'Australian made', check the ACCC rules on country of origin claims
• Wholesale prices leave thinner margins, so cost your time carefully
• Machine and cutting tool safety, plus ventilation when using glues and dyes

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your tools, machines, leather stock and whether you work from home or rent a unit.

Check council rules for a workshop at home or in a rented unit, including noise and zoning. Check public liability and product liability insurance, and ACCC rules if you say "Australian made". Also check machine and cutting tool safety, and ventilation when using glues and dyes.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on your range, batch sizes and number of shop customers. Wholesale prices leave thinner margins, so cost your time carefully. Plan on at least around 15 hours a week.