Boutique actor and model agency from home

Casting directors, production companies, brands and photographers pay the fee for the work. The agency takes a commission from the performer's earnings.

A percentage commission on each booking, agreed in a written contract with each performer. Income depends on how many of your people are working, so it often starts slowly.

• Spotting talent and judging what casting directors want
• Confident negotiating and networking
• Organised admin, contracts and invoicing

• Employment agency rules for entertainment and modelling agencies: check the current regulations, including what you can and cannot charge performers
• Never take upfront fees for promising work, as this is a common scam pattern and can harm your reputation
• Representing under-18s may need local authority performance licences and DBS checks, so check with the council
• Keep performers' money in a separate account and pay them promptly after you are paid
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, plus data protection registration with the ICO if needed
• Check whether you need permission to run a business from home

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your website, insurance and admin set-up. Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £3,000, depending on your roster and the work you secure. These are estimates only.

Check current employment agency regulations for entertainment and modelling agencies, including what you can charge performers. Also check licences and DBS checks for under-18s with the council, insurance, ICO data protection registration, and whether you need permission to run a business from home.

Never take upfront fees for promising work, as this is a common scam pattern and can harm your reputation. Check what the regulations allow you to charge, keep performers' money in a separate account, and pay them promptly after you are paid.