Curtain and blind shop with a custom workroom

Homeowners renovating or redecorating, property managers, and interior designers who want a local supplier.

Margin on fabric, blinds and hardware, plus making and installation charges. Repeat work from designers and builders can fill quieter weeks.

• Sewing or managing a seamstress
• Home design and colour advice
• Sales and quoting
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Commercial lease terms, deposit and fit-out costs, so negotiate carefully and check zoning and signage rules with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and property insurance; check WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire staff
• Cash tied up in stock and deposits on custom orders that clients later cancel, so use clear written terms
• Slow stretches between renovation seasons, and competition from big-box stores and online blinds sellers
• Child safety rules for corded blinds, so check current Health Canada requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your lease, deposit and fit-out. Negotiate lease terms carefully, and check zoning and signage rules with your municipality.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, season and order volume. Expect slow stretches between renovation seasons, and competition from big-box stores and online sellers.

Check current Health Canada requirements for child safety on corded blinds. Also check commercial general liability and property insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, and use clear written terms for deposits on custom orders.