Home-Based boutique modelling agency

Local brands, retailers, photographers, ad and marketing agencies, and event organizers pay for bookings. Models pay you through a commission on the jobs you book for them.

You take an agreed commission on each booking and invoice the client. A few repeat clients and a well-matched roster matter more than a big roster.

• Spotting and presenting talent
• Negotiating rates and contracts
• Networking and cold outreach
• Organized scheduling and invoicing

• Never charge models upfront fees for signing, as this is a common scam sign; earn only from commission
• Check whether your province regulates talent or employment agencies and whether you need a licence (Quebec has specific rules for artists' agents)
• Check municipal home-based business licence rules and register your business name with your province
• Working with models under 18 usually brings extra rules on parental consent, work hours and permits, so check your provincial labour standards
• Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and get commercial general liability insurance
• Be clear in contracts about who is paid when, as late client payments can hurt your cash flow and your models' trust

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $600 to $3,000, depending on how many bookings you win. These are estimates, and you earn through commission on the jobs you book.

Check whether your province regulates talent or employment agencies and whether you need a licence; Quebec has specific rules for artists' agents. Also check municipal home-based business licence rules, business name registration, and extra rules for models under 18.

You need to spot and present talent, negotiate rates and contracts, network, and keep scheduling and invoicing organized. The estimate is at least about 10 hours a week. Never charge models upfront fees; earn only from commission.