Piercer in a rented room or chair

Walk-in and booked clients, often drawn by the host shop's foot traffic, plus your own repeat customers.

Piercing fees and jewellery sales, minus a weekly or monthly rent or a percentage paid to the host shop.

• Trained piercing technique, ideally through an apprenticeship
• Strict sterile procedures
• Self-promotion on social media
• Booking and money management

• Check whether you or the host shop holds the health permit, and what your province and municipality require
• Your own commercial general liability insurance, as the shop's policy may not cover you
• Rules on piercing minors and parental consent vary, so check locally
• Put the rent or commission terms in writing, along with who owns the client list
• Self-employed income needs tracking for tax, and GST/HST registration may apply once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your equipment, jewellery stock and the rent or commission terms. Put those terms in writing, along with who owns the client list.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on client numbers, pricing and the host shop's foot traffic. Self-employed income needs tracking for tax, so keep clear records.

Check whether you or the host shop holds the health permit and what your province and municipality require. Also check your own liability insurance, local rules on piercing minors, GST/HST registration once past the small supplier threshold, and Quebec's rules.