Solo branding studio for small businesses

New businesses, local shops, cafés, trades and professional services that want to look established, plus small companies that are rebranding.

Fixed project fees, often sold as packages such as logo only, or logo plus full brand guide. Add-ons include stationery, social media templates and signage artwork.

• Graphic design and typography
• Listening to clients and asking good questions
• Presenting ideas clearly
• Managing deadlines and revisions

• Use a written contract that covers revisions, payment schedule and who owns the final artwork
• Check that names and logos do not clash with existing trademarks, for example by searching the Canadian trademarks database
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Register your business name with your province and check when you need to register for GST/HST
• Software subscriptions and fonts need the correct licences for commercial use

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your software, fonts, equipment and how you promote the studio. Treat this as an estimate and check what your own setup would need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how many projects you take on and what you charge. The estimates assume at least 10 hours a week, and results will vary.

Check that you use a written contract covering revisions, payment schedule and artwork ownership. Search names and logos against the Canadian trademarks database, and check home-based licensing, provincial business name registration, GST/HST timing and software and font licences.