Craft school in a rented studio

Adult hobbyists, parents booking kids' classes, corporate or social groups, and gift buyers.

Course and drop-in fees, memberships or open studio time, birthday and group bookings, and materials or firing charges.

• Strong craft skills and teaching ability
• Scheduling and customer service
• Basic budgeting and marketing

• Check zoning and your municipality's business licence rules before signing a lease
• Commercial general liability insurance is likely needed, plus cover for your equipment and contents
• Rent is a fixed cost, so quiet months and summer or holiday dips can hurt cash flow
• Kilns, power tools and dust need ventilation and safety training, so check fire code and local requirements
• If you hire instructors, check WCB/WSIB rules in your province and whether they are employees or contractors
• Working with children may require police record checks, so check what parents and your insurer expect

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your rent and deposit, equipment such as kilns or tools, fit-out and insurance. Check quotes for your area before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on your timetable, class sizes and pricing. Rent is a fixed cost, so quiet months and summer or holiday dips can hurt cash flow.

Check zoning and municipal business licence rules before signing a lease. Look into commercial general liability insurance, fire code and ventilation for kilns and tools, WCB or WSIB rules if you hire instructors, and police record checks for working with children.