Creative business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000
63 ideas
These 63 creative business ideas suit people who have meaningful capital to invest, whether from savings, a loan or a partner, and want a business built around a physical space, specialist equipment or both. Options include a portrait studio in a rented space, a vehicle decal and graphics shop, and a community art studio with classes and hire.
School band instrument rental programme
Supply and maintain rental instruments for school bands, music programmes and youth orchestras.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Indigenous art gallery in a small shopfront
Open a small gallery in a tourist or arts area, showing and selling Indigenous artists' work on a rotating basis.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Own glassblowing studio and gallery
Run your own hot shop making art pieces and commissions for galleries and private clients.
- C$15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small commercial art gallery
Rent a small street-front space, run rotating exhibitions and sell artists' work for a commission.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small theatre company with its own space
Run a company with a rented studio theatre, producing a season of plays and workshops.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small branding agency with a studio
Run a small team offering brand strategy, identity and rollout for growing businesses, from a shared or rented studio.
- C$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Public and corporate art sculptor
Win larger commissions for parks, offices and developments from a rented workshop.
- C$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Pottery studio with classes and open studio
Rent a small unit with wheels and a kiln, and run weekly classes, kids' sessions and private parties.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Model-making workshop with laser cutter
Rent a small unit with a laser cutter and 3D printers to produce detailed models for firms and developers.
- C$12k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke atelier with a fitting room
Open a small atelier where clients book fittings and commission bespoke clothing, with help from a seamstress.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Music producer with a rented studio space
Rent a small room or unit, fit it out for recording and run sessions for bands and artists full time.
- C$6k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Full-time taxidermy shop
Run a small shop and workshop taking in mounts from hunters, outfitters, collectors and museums.
- C$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Silver repair and commission workshop
Run a small workshop repairing and making silver pieces for walk-in customers, jewellers and local shops.
- C$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Sandblast glass etching studio
Run a small workshop etching signage, privacy glass and decor for businesses and homeowners.
- C$6k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Tailor shop with a fitting room
Open a small storefront for bespoke orders, alterations and walk-in repairs.
- C$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tailoring and bespoke studio
Run a small shop or studio offering alterations plus made-to-measure suits, dresses and formal wear.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Rented studio with live room and booths
Rent a small unit and fit it out to record bands, voiceovers and podcasts by the hour.
- C$70k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Your own appointment-only tattoo studio
Open a small private studio, tattoo by appointment and build your own brand, with room to add other artists later.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Rented photography studio
Run a small studio for portraits, headshots and commercial shoots, with space to rent out between bookings.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Product design studio with prototype shop
Run a small studio that designs products and builds physical prototypes for clients in-house.
- C$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Private appointment-only tattoo studio
Run your own small, appointment-only tattoo room for custom pieces and set your own prices and style.
- C$10k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke suit tailor with a small studio
Make bespoke and made-to-measure suits for men in a small studio, alongside alterations to keep steady income.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Ballet school with its own studio
Open a dedicated ballet studio with a full timetable of children's and adult classes, taught by you and a small team.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Community art studio with classes and hire
Rent a small unit to run classes, memberships and paid studio hire for local artists.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
A bigger budget can buy better equipment and a stronger first impression, but it also raises the cost of getting it wrong. Before committing, look at your likely lease terms, how many paying customers you would need each month to cover fixed costs, and what skills or training you already have. Start by testing demand locally, then compare the ideas that fit your experience.
More ideas
- Commercial photography studio space
- Model and prototype studio with laser and 3D printing
- Full-time wedding photography business
- Small production studio with a shooting space
- Seasonal clothing collection for boutiques
- Interior design studio with a material library
- Workwear and team embroidery shop
- Documentary and branded film company
- Bead wholesale warehouse with trade counter
- Home longarm quilting studio
- Longarm quilting studio with rental time
- Full-time sculptor for galleries and public art
- Local sign shop with print and cut equipment
- Neighbourhood photo lab and print shop
- Your own small tattoo and piercing studio
- Monogramming and personalisation shop
- Bookbinding and restoration workshop
- Costume hire and sales workshop for productions
- Portrait studio in a rented space
- Paint-and-sip style painting studio
- Shared painting studio for local artists
- Small-scale chamber opera company
- Glass awards and trophy engraving studio
- Jewellery maker selling to shops
- Art school in a rented studio
- Invitation and event stationery studio
- Craft school in a rented studio
- Sewing school studio
- Wholesale craft exporter to overseas shops
- Band rehearsal rooms by the hour
- Shared woodworking studio with bench memberships
- Small advertising agency with a studio
- Jewellery equipment supplier with a small showroom
- Modelling agency with a small office and studio
- Art restoration studio for galleries and dealers
- Glass neon sign workshop
- Small animation studio for brands and broadcasters
- Vehicle decal and graphics shop
- Set design and build workshop
Questions
What should I check before spending over $20,000 on a creative business?
Check your fixed monthly costs, such as rent, insurance and equipment financing, against realistic sales. Talk to potential customers first, ask suppliers about lead times, and consider whether you could start smaller and expand once demand is clear.
Do I need a licence or permit to open a studio or workshop in Canada?
Requirements often vary by province and municipality. Check local business licensing, zoning rules for your premises, and any building or fire code needs. Also ask about registering your business name and whether you must collect GST/HST.
How can I fund a creative business that costs more than $20,000?
Common routes include personal savings, a small business loan, equipment leasing or a partner. Check what lenders ask for, such as a business plan and cash flow forecast, and ask about any government-backed programs that might apply to you.