Taxidermy shop with a small showroom

Hunters and anglers, collectors, restaurants and lodges, decorators, schools and sometimes small museums or nature centers.

Fixed prices per mount, with extras such as custom habitat bases, fish reproductions, restoration of older mounts and rush orders. A visible location can also bring in walk-in clients.

• Strong taxidermy technique across several species
• Customer service and managing expectations on timing
• Basic bookkeeping and scheduling
• Sculpting, painting and finishing

• State taxidermy licensing, record keeping and rules on protected or migratory species, so check with your state wildlife agency
• Zoning for the premises, plus waste and chemical disposal requirements to check with your city or county
• General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Rent and equipment costs while income is seasonal, so keep a cash buffer
• Cold storage failure can ruin clients' specimens, so plan backups and clear intake paperwork

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on your premises, cold storage and equipment. These are estimates, so keep a cash buffer for rent and equipment while income is seasonal.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, the species you handle and your pricing. These are estimates, and income is seasonal, so plan your cash flow around the quieter months.

Check state taxidermy licensing, record keeping and rules on protected or migratory species with your state wildlife agency. Also check zoning, waste and chemical disposal with your city or county, and look into general liability and property insurance.