Dance troupe for events and festivals

Event planners, festivals, municipalities, corporate clients, venues, schools and couples planning weddings.

A fee per booking, usually priced by performance length and number of dancers, plus extra for custom choreography or workshops. Dancers are paid per gig.

• Strong dance technique and choreography
• Organizing rehearsals and schedules
• Pitching and following up with clients

• Commercial general liability insurance, which many venues and event hosts ask to see
• Music licensing: check whether the venue already holds SOCAN and Re:Sound licences or whether you need your own
• Whether dancers are contractors or employees, and the rules in your province
• Registering for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Bookings are often seasonal, with a quiet winter in many areas
• Injury risk for dancers, so plan warm-ups and rest

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on costumes, rehearsal space, music, insurance and marketing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many bookings you win and your fees. The estimate assumes from about 8 hours a week, and bookings are often seasonal.

Check whether venues require commercial general liability insurance and whether they hold SOCAN and Re:Sound licences or you need your own. Also check whether dancers are contractors or employees in your province, and GST/HST rules once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.