Tailor shop with a fitting room

Walk-in customers needing hemming and repairs, plus clients who commission suits, formal wear and wedding outfits.

Steady alterations and repairs pay the rent, while bespoke commissions bring higher-value work. You might also hire a seamstress to handle volume.

• Advanced tailoring and pattern making
• Customer service and sales
• Managing costs, rent and pricing
• Organising a workload with deadlines

• Commercial lease terms: check length, rent increases and fit-out costs before signing
• Check municipal business licence and signage rules for your location
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire (rules differ by province)
• Slow seasons and rent are fixed costs, so keep a cash buffer
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on your lease terms, shop fit-out, equipment and fabric samples. Check fit-out costs and rent increases before signing a lease.

Check commercial lease terms such as length, rent increases and fit-out costs. Check municipal business licence and signage rules for your location, and insurance such as commercial general liability and contents cover. Check WCB or WSIB if you hire, and GST/HST registration.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on walk-in trade, bespoke orders and your pricing. Rent is a fixed cost and slow seasons happen, so keep a cash buffer. Expect at least about 35 hours a week.