Small music school with teachers

Families with children and teenagers, adult learners, and sometimes local schools or community groups.

Monthly tuition or per-lesson fees, with the school keeping a share of what each teacher bills. Extra income can come from group classes, camps, instrument rentals and recitals.

• Organizing schedules, rooms and teachers
• Customer service with parents and students
• Basic bookkeeping and managing contractors or staff

• Check zoning, occupancy and any noise rules for the building before signing a lease
• Get general liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire employees
• Understand the difference between employees and independent contractors under IRS and state rules
• Background check teachers who work with children
• Rent and teacher pay are fixed costs, so slow months can hurt

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your premises, soundproofing, instruments and booking system. These are estimates, so get local quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of students, teachers and rooms you run. Rent and teacher pay are fixed costs, so treat this as an estimate.

Check zoning, occupancy and noise rules before signing a lease. Get general liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire employees. Understand IRS and state rules on employees versus contractors, and background check teachers who work with children.