Start a vinyl and cassette niche record label

Collectors and fans buying physical records, independent record stores, and listeners and licensees through digital channels.

Profit on each record sold after pressing, shipping and artist share, plus streaming income and occasional licensing. Pre-orders help cover pressing costs before you pay.

• Knowledge of a music scene
• Budgeting and project planning
• Online selling and fan communication
• Design or working with designers

• Pressing plants can have long lead times and minimum runs, so plan release dates carefully
• Unsold stock ties up money and storage space, so start with small runs
• Check licensing for any cover songs or samples, and sign clear agreements with artists
• Check sales tax rules in your state and any home occupation or HOA rules if you store stock at home
• Consider general liability and inventory insurance, and check shipping costs before setting prices

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of your pressing runs, how many releases you plan and your design needs. These are estimates. Starting with small runs helps limit the money tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $3,500, depending on your releases, how many fans you reach and whether you sell online, at shows or through record stores. Unsold stock ties up money and storage space, so start small.

Check licensing for any cover songs or samples, and sign clear agreements with artists. Check your state's sales tax rules, and any home occupation or HOA rules if you store stock at home. Also plan around pressing plant lead times and minimum runs.