Pop-up skate sharpening at rinks and tournaments

Hockey players and parents, figure skaters, speed skaters, clubs and teams, and sometimes the rinks themselves.

A fixed price per pair of skates, with extras for profiling or repairs. Regular team and club customers give you steady repeat work.

• Steady hands and attention to detail
• Learning the different hollows and blade types
• Friendly, reliable customer service

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for the work you do on customers' equipment
• Rinks may want a formal agreement, a fee or a share of takings, so check before you set up
• A badly sharpened blade can ruin a pair of skates or cause a fall, so get proper training first
• Check that you have suitable power, ventilation and a safe set-up for metal dust and sparks
• Demand is seasonal and depends on rink opening times, so plan for quieter months

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £7,000, depending on the machine and equipment you choose. These are estimates, so get quotes before you buy. Remember to check insurance and training costs as well.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on how many rinks, clubs and events you reach and how many hours you put in. Demand is seasonal, so these estimates may vary through the year.

Check public liability insurance and whether you need cover for work on customers' equipment. Rinks may want a formal agreement, a fee or a share of takings. Get proper training first, and check your power, ventilation and set-up are safe.