Online folk costume and regional dress shop

Folk dance and cultural groups, community associations, schools, festival performers, families celebrating heritage events, and collectors.

Margin on each item sold. Extra income can come from made-to-measure orders, group and bulk pricing for dance troupes, and hiring out costumes for events.

• Knowledge of the dress and culture you sell
• Online selling and photography
• Customer service and sizing advice
• Organising stock and deliveries

• Register an ABN and check when you need to register for GST
• Check import rules with the Australian Border Force and biosecurity requirements for items made with feathers, fur, leather, wool or plant material
• Check Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds, returns and product descriptions, especially for made-to-measure items
• Be respectful and accurate about cultural dress, and check for any cultural or copyright restrictions on designs, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items
• Check council rules if you hold stock or take customer visits at home
• Stock can be slow to sell, so start small

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how you set up your website and photography. Stock can be slow to sell, so starting small can help.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your range, the communities you serve and how well you reach them. Treat this as an estimate and adjust as you learn what sells.

Check ABN and GST registration, import and biosecurity rules for items made with feathers, fur, leather, wool or plants, and Australian Consumer Law on refunds. Also check cultural or copyright restrictions on designs, and council rules for home stock.