Start an online folk costume and dancewear store

Folk dance schools, cultural associations, festival groups, families preparing for performances, and collectors.

Margin on each costume, blouse, vest, headpiece or accessory, plus alteration or made-to-measure fees and bulk orders from groups.

• Deep knowledge of the traditions you sell
• Online selling and product photography
• Sizing, fitting and customer service

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Register for GST/HST (and provincial sales tax or QST where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Check import duties, shipping costs and textile labelling rules for goods from abroad
• Be respectful of sacred items: Indigenous regalia is not a costume, so only sell it if made and sold by or with the community
• Check consumer product rules for children's clothing, and keep a clear returns policy for made-to-measure items
• Demand is often concentrated before festival and performance seasons, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you import items and how you set up your website. Check import duties and shipping costs for goods from abroad.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $5,000, depending on the traditions you cover, your range and your audience. Demand is often concentrated before festival and performance seasons, so plan your cash flow.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, import duties and textile labelling rules, and consumer rules for children's clothing. Indigenous regalia is not a costume, so only sell it if made by or with the community.