Mobile supportive shoe fitting service

Older people who find shop visits hard, residents of retirement villages and aged care, and people referred by podiatrists, physios or local clinics. Customers pay you directly.

Retail margin on each pair of shoes, plus insoles and accessories. Group visits at retirement villages can lift sales per trip.

• Friendly, patient manner with older customers
• Accurate foot measuring and fitting
• Organising appointments and travel routes

• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus vehicle and stock cover
• Keep health advice to registered professionals and avoid making medical claims about shoes
• Aged care and retirement villages may have their own rules for visitors, so check before booking
• Working with vulnerable people may require a police or other background check, so check what is needed
• Returns and exchanges can be costly, so agree a clear policy with your suppliers

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on your vehicle, the sample stock you carry and your supplier terms. Agreeing a clear returns and exchanges policy with suppliers helps keep costs under control.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $3,000 to $14,000, depending on how many appointments you book and how far you travel. These are revenue figures, so vehicle, stock and other costs come out of that.

Check public liability and product liability insurance, plus vehicle and stock cover. Also check visitor rules at aged care and retirement villages, whether a police or other background check is needed, and keep health advice to registered professionals.