Sheet music shop with a local storefront

Local students and parents, private teachers, school and community ensembles, church musicians and hobbyists.

You earn the retail margin on each item sold. Special orders for teachers and schools, and seasonal peaks such as September and exam periods, add to sales.

• Strong music knowledge across genres and levels
• Retail and stock management
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Rent and stock costs are the main risk, so run the numbers on a slow month before signing a lease
• Copyright: only sell legitimate editions, and check the rules before offering any photocopying or custom arrangements
• Check your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules, plus Quebec French-language rules if you open there
• Register for GST/HST and any provincial sales tax as required, and check WCB/WSIB rules before hiring staff
• Commercial general liability and property insurance
• Winter weather and online competition can reduce foot traffic

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your premises, lease and initial stock. Rent and stock are the main risks, so run the numbers on a slow month before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, stock range and customer base. Winter weather and online competition can reduce foot traffic, so plan for quieter periods.

Check your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules, plus Quebec French-language rules if you open there. Also check copyright for legitimate editions, GST/HST and provincial sales tax, insurance, and WCB/WSIB before hiring.