Mobile skate sharpening at rinks and events

Tournament players and their parents, travel teams, skating clubs and rinks that want to offer sharpening without running their own service.

A fee per pair of skates, often with higher volume on tournament weekends. Some rinks or clubs may pay a set fee or share revenue for regular visits.

• Sharpening skill and consistency under time pressure
• Organizing a schedule across several venues
• Basic vehicle and equipment setup
• Good communication with coaches and rink managers

• Check with each rink about permission, insurance requirements and any fee for operating on its property
• Get general liability insurance, and check whether your auto policy covers a work vehicle or trailer
• Ask your city or county about a business license and whether mobile or temporary vendor rules apply
• Business is seasonal and tied to the hockey and skating calendar, so plan for slow months

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your equipment and how you set up a van or trailer. Monthly revenue is an estimate of typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many venues and events you cover.

Check with each rink about permission, insurance requirements and any fee for operating on its property. Also ask your city or county about a business license and whether mobile or temporary vendor rules apply. Check whether your auto policy covers a work vehicle or trailer.

Estimates start at around 8 hours a week, depending on how many rinks, tournaments and team events you take on. Business is seasonal and tied to the hockey and skating calendar, so plan for slow months.