Local phone shop with repairs

Everyday customers, students, newcomers to Canada, and people who want a cheaper repair or an unlocked phone instead of a carrier contract.

Margin on phones and accessories, repair fees (often the most reliable earner), and possibly commissions if you become a dealer for a prepaid or discount brand.

• Customer service and friendly selling
• Fine hands-on repair work (or a repair tech to hire)
• Stock buying and cash flow management

• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus cover for customers' devices left with you
• Check whether your municipality or province has second-hand dealer rules or record-keeping requirements for used phones
• Stolen or blacklisted phones: check device status before buying or reselling used handsets
• Rules on disposing of batteries and electronic waste differ by province
• Becoming an authorized dealer for a major carrier has its own agreement and requirements, so check before counting on it
• In Quebec, French-language rules for signage and customer service apply
• Lease commitments and slow months, so keep a cash buffer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the premises, stock and fit-out. Lease commitments and slow months matter, so keep a cash buffer on top of your startup budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock mix and how much repair work you win. The estimates assume at least about 40 hours a week, before rent and other running costs.

Check insurance, including cover for customers' devices left with you, and whether your municipality or province has second-hand dealer or record-keeping rules for used phones. Also check device status before reselling, battery and e-waste disposal rules, and French-language rules in Quebec.