Start a touring family puppet theater company

Arts centers, festival organizers, fairs, community theaters and families buying tickets, plus schools booking assemblies.

Performance fees from venues and festivals, ticket sales for your own shows, and sometimes workshops or merchandise such as small puppets or books.

• Puppet making and performing
• Scriptwriting and directing
• Planning tours and logistics
• Working with a small team
• Pitching to venues and festivals

• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
• Check whether performers are treated as employees or independent contractors in your state
• Festival and venue contracts, so read terms on pay, cancellations and travel costs
• If you sell tickets or merchandise, check your state's sales tax registration rules
• Touring costs such as fuel, lodging and vehicle wear can eat into earnings

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the sets, lighting and puppets you produce, plus a vehicle setup and insurance. These are estimates, so budget for your own productions.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many bookings or ticketed shows you land and your fees. Touring costs such as fuel and lodging can reduce what you keep. Plan on at least about 15 hours a week.

Check general liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire. Check whether performers count as employees or independent contractors in your state, read festival and venue contracts on pay, cancellations and travel, and check sales tax rules for tickets or merchandise.