Luggage and bag repair shop

Local travelers and commuters, airline and hotel staff, travel agencies, and shops that sell luggage but do not repair it.

Fixed prices per repair type plus parts. Extra income can come from referral deals with luggage retailers or airport-area businesses, and from selling small items like luggage straps, locks and tags.

• Industrial sewing and repair techniques
• Knowledge of luggage brands and parts
• Customer service at the counter
• Basic bookkeeping and job tracking

• Check your city or county business license, zoning and any certificate of occupancy for the space
• Register with your state for sales tax if repairs or parts are taxable there
• Get general liability insurance and consider coverage for customers' property in your care
• Review lease terms carefully, since rent is the biggest fixed cost
• Demand can be seasonal around holiday and summer travel, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you open a standalone unit or rent a counter inside a shoe repair shop, tailor or travel store. Rent is usually the biggest fixed cost, so review lease terms carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on location, hours and the repairs you take on. Demand can be seasonal around holiday and summer travel, so plan your cash flow. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.

Check your city or county business license, zoning and any certificate of occupancy for the space. Also check state sales tax registration if repairs or parts are taxable there, and get general liability insurance, considering cover for customers' property in your care.