Body piercing studio

Open a clean, licensed studio for ear and body piercing, with quality jewellery sold alongside.

Startup costC$12k to C$45k
Monthly revenueC$4k to C$16k
Time needed25+ h/week
First incomeMonths

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A small street-level or plaza studio where you pierce ears and other body areas in a sterile room, and sell implant-grade jewellery and aftercare products.

Your first three steps

  1. Find an experienced piercer for an apprenticeship if you are not yet trained, and take blood-borne pathogen and first aid courses
  2. Call your local public health unit or health authority to ask what the studio layout, sterilization and registration rules are before signing a lease
  3. Price out your autoclave, jewellery stock, insurance and fit-out, then compare studio rents in two or three neighbourhoods
Who pays

Teens and adults looking for first or new piercings, plus repeat clients who return for jewellery upgrades and changes.

How it makes money

A piercing fee per service, with jewellery sold on top. Repeat visits for downsizing, changes and new piercings add steady income.

Skills that help
  • Steady hands and attention to detail
  • Strict hygiene and sterilization habits
  • Friendly, calm manner with nervous clients
  • Basic bookkeeping and stock control
Watch out for
  • Check whether your province, health authority and municipality require a personal services licence or inspection
  • Rules on piercing minors and parental consent vary, so check locally
  • Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your insurer covers piercing
  • Autoclave maintenance and regular spore testing, with records kept as your health unit requires
  • WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff, with rules that differ by province
  • Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements for signage and documents

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

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