Small advertising agency with a studio

Established small and mid-sized businesses, franchises, local councils' partner organizations and nonprofits that run regular campaigns and want one team to handle them.

Monthly retainers, project fees for campaigns and creative work, and fees or a percentage on the media you plan and buy for clients.

• Managing clients and projects
• Campaign planning and budgeting
• Creative direction and design
• Hiring and managing a small team

• Commercial general liability and professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance
• WCB or WSIB registration once you have employees, rules differ by province
• Lease commitments and wages can be a heavy fixed cost if clients leave
• Cash flow, since you may pay media suppliers before clients pay you
• Check Ad Standards rules and your provincial rules for regulated products, and French-language rules in Quebec
• Written contracts covering ownership of creative work and licences for stock images and music

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the office or studio, equipment, insurance and team you set up. Lease commitments and wages can be heavy fixed costs if clients leave.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your client list, the campaigns you run and your team size. Cash flow needs care, since you may pay media suppliers before clients pay you.

Check commercial general and professional liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB registration once you have employees. Also check Ad Standards and provincial rules for regulated products, French-language rules in Quebec, and use written contracts covering creative ownership and image and music licences.