Pottery Studio with Weekly Classes and Open Sessions

Local adults and families paying per class or term, party groups, corporate bookings and members hiring bench or wheel time.

Class and term fees, workshop tickets, party bookings, membership fees, and charges for clay, glazing and firing. Hiring casual instructors lets you add more sessions.

• Strong throwing and hand-building ability
• Teaching all ages and abilities
• Managing a space, kiln and supplies
• Marketing and customer service

• Lease terms, zoning and council approval for the premises, check with your local council
• Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Kiln power supply and ventilation: use licensed electricians and check fire safety rules
• Clay waste: do not put clay down drains, check trade waste rules with your water authority
• Working with Children Check for staff teaching under-18s, check your state's rules
• Running costs like rent can be hard to cover in quiet seasons

Startup costs are typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on the size of the unit, fit-out, number of wheels and the kiln you choose. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at $4,000 to $18,000, so budget for rent in quieter seasons.

Check lease terms, zoning and council approval with your local council. Look into public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, licensed electricians and fire safety for the kiln, trade waste rules for clay, and Working with Children Checks for staff teaching under-18s.

The estimate is at least around 25 hours a week, covering classes, open sessions, kiln loading, and managing supplies and customers. You'll need skills in throwing and hand-building, teaching all ages, running a space, and marketing.