Hourly sports rental shop or stand

Tourists, local families, groups of friends and visitors who want to try an activity without buying gear.

Hourly and daily rental rates, with add-ons such as lessons, lockers or guided outings. Busy weekends and holidays usually bring most of the income.

• Equipment repair and upkeep
• Customer service and safety briefings
• Handling cash and bookings
• Managing seasonal staff

• Permits or concession agreements, parks, beaches and waterfronts often have their own rules, check with the city, county or land manager
• General liability insurance and possibly property and equipment cover
• Sales tax registration with your state, rentals may be taxable depending on the state
• Seasonal demand and weather, plan your cash flow for slow months
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Safety, such as life jackets and helmets, and any state rules for rentals, check locally

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location setup, how much gear you buy and your insurance. These are estimates, so plan your budget around the type of stand or shop you choose.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, the gear you offer and how busy the season is. These are estimates, and revenue is not the same as profit, so plan for slow months.

Check permits or concession agreements with the city, county or land manager, since parks and beaches often have their own rules. Also check sales tax registration, liability and equipment insurance, workers' compensation if you hire, and local safety rules such as life jackets and helmets.