Neighbourhood party supplies shop

Parents planning birthdays, people organizing showers, graduations and anniversaries, schools, community groups and small workplaces.

Retail margin on products, plus add-ons like helium balloon fills, custom balloon bunches and ready-made party packs. Busy seasons such as Halloween and December lift sales.

• Customer service
• Buying and stock control
• Creative eye for displays
• Basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms and total monthly costs, which are the biggest risk for a shop
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus stock and contents cover
• Helium tank safety and supply, check your supplier's rules for storage and handling
• Check Health Canada product safety requirements for items sold to children, such as small parts
• Sales tax rules (GST/HST and PST in some provinces) and, in Quebec, French-language signage rules
• Strong seasonality, so plan cash flow for slower months

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease and fit-out, opening stock, helium equipment and insurance. Lease terms and total monthly costs are the biggest risk, so review them carefully before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range, pricing and the season. Sales can be strongly seasonal, so plan cash flow for slower months. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week.

Check helium tank storage and handling rules with your supplier, and Health Canada product safety requirements for items sold to children, such as small parts. Also check insurance, GST/HST and provincial sales tax, and French-language signage rules if you operate in Quebec.