Alterations for local bridal and menswear shops

Bridal boutiques, menswear and formalwear stores, dry cleaners and tailors who need extra capacity, plus their customers.

Per-item rates agreed with each shop, with steady volume around wedding, prom and holiday seasons. Some shops let you take direct customers too.

• Experience with suits, dresses and delicate fabrics
• Reliable turnaround on deadlines
• Building relationships with shop owners

• Check your city or county rules on business licenses and home workspaces
• Wedding and prom work is seasonal, so plan for quieter months
• Valuable garments mean higher risk, so ask an insurer about cover for customers' items
• Get rates and deadlines agreed in writing with each shop
• Relying on one or two shops for most income is risky

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the equipment you already own and how you set up your workspace. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,200 to $5,000, depending on how many shops you work with.

Check your city or county rules on business licenses and home workspaces. Ask an insurer about cover for customers' items, since valuable garments mean higher risk. Also agree rates and deadlines in writing with each shop.

Plan on at least around 15 hours a week. Wedding and prom work is seasonal, so plan for quieter months. Relying on one or two shops for most of your income is risky, so build several relationships.