Small-Batch souvenir maker from home

Gift shops, museums, visitor centres, campgrounds and attractions in tourist areas. Some sales also come from craft markets and direct customers.

Wholesale orders to shops, usually at about half the retail price, plus higher-margin retail sales at markets and events. Repeat orders before and during the tourist season are the core.

• Design or crafting skills
• Making items to a consistent standard
• Pitching to shop buyers
• Costing and pricing products

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what zoning allows
• Get permission before using logos, landmarks or characters that are trademarked or owned by attractions
• Be careful with Indigenous-style designs: check that you have the right to use them, and consider working with Indigenous artists instead of copying their work
• If you make items for children, check Health Canada rules on safety, paint and materials
• Check labelling rules and 'Made in Canada' claims with the Competition Bureau before you advertise them
• Sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for winter
• Consider commercial general liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the equipment and materials you choose and the products you make. Insurance is worth including in your budget too.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many shops and markets you supply and your pricing. Sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for winter.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what zoning allows. Also check permissions for trademarked logos or landmarks, your right to use Indigenous-style designs, Health Canada rules for children's items, and labelling and 'Made in Canada' claims.