Community makerspace with classes

Individual members, small makers and startups, schools and community groups, and people booking classes or birthday workshops.

Tiered monthly memberships, paid classes and induction sessions, group and school bookings, and sales of materials.

• Running a community and managing people
• Teaching or hiring good instructors
• Basic budgeting and equipment maintenance

• Public liability insurance and cover for classes, check with your insurer
• Council planning and zoning approval for the premises, plus fire safety and building requirements
• Workplace health and safety duties, check with your state's WHS regulator
• Working with Children checks if you run school or youth sessions, check your state's rules
• High fixed costs such as rent and equipment, so test demand before committing to a long lease
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff

Startup costs are typically around $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment across zones such as woodwork, electronics and 3D printing. High fixed costs like rent mean it pays to test demand before a long lease.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on memberships, classes, events and school or group sessions. Rent and equipment are high fixed costs, so revenue is not the same as profit.

Check council planning and zoning approval, plus fire safety and building requirements. Also check public liability cover for classes, your state's WHS duties, Working with Children checks for school or youth sessions, and workers compensation once you hire staff.