Business Overview:

Starting a paintball business is a great way to turn your hobby into a business while giving people the opportunity to shoot at each other in good fun. Paintball facilities can be outdoors or indoors and supply paintball guns, paintballs, protective gear and a course of some type that allows participants to plan covert ops and stealthily plot the ambush of their opponents. This fun business does take a great deal of planning, however, so it’s a good idea to draft a business plan to make sure you have addressed every detail before you get too far. First, you’ll need to decide if you want an indoor or outdoor facility. In warmer climates, outdoor facilities are preferable as they give customers the “hunting” feel of being outside in nature. You’ll need to find an area large enough that a dozen or so people can move around without being detected. If the area is not wooded, you can erect barricades in an open field that act as hiding places. If you live in a colder climate with harsh winters, you should consider an indoor facility. Obviously the bigger the better but there are limitations with a built structure so you will have to spend more time designing the interior of your playing field. Talk to your insurance agent to see what type of insurance is necessary for this type of business. You’ll need coverage not only for your business but for your clients as well so that you’re not liable in case of injury. In the US, this liability insurance can be provided by the American Paintball League. Once you have your facility set up and properly insured, you need equipment. Shop around to find the best deals on helmets, chest pads, goggles, paintball guns, paintballs and CO2 cartridges. Decide on a price structure that meets the needs of different customers. You may have a target area that customers can use for practice that can be rented out by the hour and can include the cost of paintball gun rental and a certain number of paintballs. Groups will be your biggest customers so be sure to have a variety of package deals set up that allow a certain number of people on your course at a time. Include paintball guns, balls and safety equipment in the package price. Be sure your customers sign rental agreements to protect your equipment in the case of irresponsible actions of your customers. Decide if your business will be open by appointment only or if you’ll have set hours on certain days where individuals can show up and play with or against another individual. Advertise your business in hardware stores and hobby shops; anywhere paintball accessories are sold. Also send flyers to area businesses who may use your services for team building exercises. Business ideas like this one require a lot of preparation before you start the business but you will find all your work is worthwhile when you see satisfied customers having a great time.

A Day in the Life of a Paintball Business Owner:

Your day will begin by checking your schedule for any appointments you have. If your course is open by appointment only, you will only need to be there when you have customers. If you have set hours, you will spend your day helping customers sign up for a paintball “hunt” and make sure they are properly prepared with balls, guns and safety gear. If you have hired a staff to handle the day-to-day operations, you will be able to come and go as you please and spend your day marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals and groups interested in having a great time playing paintball.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Large area for playing field (indoor or outdoor)
• Staff (properly trained in paintball gun maintenance)
• Insurance
• Equipment
• Rate chart that applies to different types of customers
• Website
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Paintball is becoming more and more popular.
• This is a fun business to operate.
• It’s rewarding to see your customers have a great time.
• You are likely to see plenty of repeat and referral business.
• You can hire a staff to do the work for you.

The Bad:

• Start-up costs can be high.
• If you’re not properly insured, you can be liable in the case of irresponsible behavior of your customers.

Resources:

• American Paintball League
• Paintball Sports Trade Association
• American Paintball Players Association
• Wikipedia on Paintball

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Business Overview:

Starting a flight school is a great idea for an entrepreneur with flight instructor certification or anyone looking to capitalize on their fascination with flying. To soar high among the birds and the clouds is a dream many people have and flight schools make that dream a reality by offering private flying lessons. If you are already a certified flight instructor (certified by the FAA), opening a flight school is a fun way to share your training with flight students. If you are not a pilot or are not certified to teach, you can always hire certified instructors to work for you. Keep in mind that instructors are only allowed to teach to the level at which they are certified. For example, an instructor has to be IFR (instrument flight rules) certified to teach at night or in foggy conditions. A pilot without certification in a two-engine plane can only teach in single-engine planes. If this sounds like a fun business idea but you’re still unsure how to start a flight school, travel to nearby cities and talk with the owners of flight schools there. Just be sure that your business will not be in direct competition with theirs. Once you have a good idea of your business model, you need to purchase at least one plane, preferably two or three. Look for well-maintained used aircraft since they can be just as safe as new aircraft at a fraction of the price. Start out with a single-engine Cessna or Piper as those are two of the best “starter” aircraft for instruction purposes. Next you’ll need to find a location for your business. An office at the airport is ideal but if you live in a rural area you may be able to use an abandoned field runway if it’s FAA approved. You don’t need to rent hangar space; your aircraft can be tied down outside. Insurance is important in this business as you will need it for your planes, your instructors and your clients. You should have all students sign a waiver prior to going up but you still need to be covered in case of an accident. You’ll also need to have a maintenance contract with a shop certified to work on aircraft. Look for one that’s near your planes so you don’t have to worry about transport. You’ll find that this business is easily scalable; you can start with one instructor and one airplane and add to your staff and your fleet as your client list grows.

A Day in the Life of a Flight School Business Owner:

If you are the instructor, you will meet appointments at your office or at the airport, depending on the level of your students (substantial on-the-ground study and test preparation is necessary at certain points in the training process). You will spend your day instructing your students either in the air or on the ground. If you have a staff of instructors working for you, you will stay in the office, field calls, schedule planes/instructors and market your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals interested in obtaining a pilot’s license.

What You Need to Start:

• Flight school business plan
• Airplane(s)
• Office
• Access to airstrip (airport or rural field runway)
• Certified flight instructor(s)
• Insurance
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• This is an excellent business opportunity for a certified flight instructor.
• It’s rewarding to help others realize their dream to be able to fly.
• If you’re not a certified flight instructor, you can hire one or more to work for you.
• A flight school is a fun atmosphere.
• You get to be around airplanes and other pilots all day and do what you love.

The Bad:

• Start-up investment is high and aircraft maintenance is costly.
• You’ll need several regular students/customers to make money with this business.

Resources:

• Flight School Association of North America
• National Association of Flight Instructors
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Article “Sky-High Careers: Jobs Related to Airlines”
• Wikipedia on Flight Training

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Business Overview:

If you’re looking for a fun part-time business that lets you express your creativity while helping others celebrate, consider running a party balloon business. Balloons are used for all kinds of occasions from birthday parties and baby showers to high school proms and New Year’s Eve parties. If you can set your business apart from the competition, this can be one of the more popular part-time business ideas available. The start-up investment needed for this business is minimal. All you need are some supplies and a large enough room to work in and temporarily store inflated balloons. You could offer simple latex and mylar balloon bunches but your business will be more successful if you can make more elaborate balloon creations. Similar to a candy or cookie bouquet business, the more unique your arrangements are, the more customers you will attract. You can find plenty of online tutorials that will show you how to create distinctive bouquets and displays. Before you try to sell any of your items, you need to practice and take pictures of your creations. Build a website or portfolio featuring these pictures so your customers can see exactly what you can do. It’s a good idea to have a few standard items in your catalog but also be able to customize products to meet specific needs of your customers. Once you have a good-sized portfolio of photos, you’ll need to attract some customers. Contact real estate agents who will use balloons for open houses and car dealerships who use balloons to advertise sales. Talk to area event planners whose clients need balloons for various party events. Place flyers around town in libraries, coffee shops, toy stores, baby stores, party stores, grocery stores, etc. Be sure you have plenty of supplies such as balloons, streamers, wooden or plastic sticks, a glue gun and a helium tank. This business can easily be operated part-time but expect to be busier on the weekends since that’s when most people have their parties. When demand increases, hiring an assistant to help with balloon transport will free you up to work on more balloon projects.

A Day in the Life of a Party Balloon Business Owner:

Your day will begin by working on balloon orders that need to be delivered that day. When working with latex balloons and helium, you can’t work too far in advance of your delivery date and time. If you have other elements to your balloon bouquets, you can get those ready a few days in advance, then blow up and attach the balloons a few hours before you’re set to deliver the finished product. You will drive your creations to the venue or you can hire a courier service to make deliveries. If you prefer, you can ask customers to pick up the items. You will spend any time you’re not working with balloons working on marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals needing elaborate and unique balloon creations for their parties.

What You Need to Start:

• Experience working with balloons
• Area large enough to work with multiple inflated balloons
• Helium tank
• Balloon supplies – balloons, streamers, hot glue, baskets, boxes, etc.
• Method of transporting your balloon creations
• Portfolio or website
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• The demand for party balloons will always be high.
• Offering something different from the competition will bring in more customers.
• You are likely to get repeat and referral business from your customers.
• The start-up investment required is minimal.
• You can easily run this business part-time.

The Bad:

• Competition is high; you’ll need to set yourself apart to do well.
• It can take some time to become very skilled working with balloons.

Resources:

• International Balloon Association
• National Association of Balloon Artists and Suppliers (UK)
• Wikipedia on Balloons

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Business Overview:

If you love working outside and are looking for a terrific seasonal business, consider starting an above ground pool business. An above ground pool sits in a backyard much the way an in-ground pool does except there is no hole to be dug into the ground. All you need is a patch of level ground and you can install an above ground pool. However, without the right skills and expertise, installation can be extremely difficult. Above ground pools can be just as large as in-ground pools and are made of steel, resin, aluminum, wood. In order to show customers a few of their options, you’ll need to have a showroom with some displays. Obviously these will not be full-sized displays but will give customers an idea of how each material looks and how it’s put together. You will also need to carry (or be able to order) accessories like steps, covers, liners, heaters and fencing. If you can also install beautiful decking around your pools, you will add major profits to your business. You can work with a third party to build decks for your pools if you don’t want to use your staff for that part of the business. In addition to pools and pool accessories, you’ll also need to stock pool chemicals and offer water testing services. Above ground pools are typically less expensive than in-ground pools but that does not mean they are cheap. A large steel pool can cost around $5,000 USD. Add to that installation costs and accessories and you can see this can be a great business idea worth exploring. In cooler climates, this will likely be a seasonal business but if you offer closing and opening services, you can boost your profits further.

A Day in the Life of an Above Ground Pool Business Owner:

Your day will begin by opening your store. You will help customers throughout the day decide on what type of above ground pool best meets their needs. You will coordinate installation with your installers.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals looking for high quality above ground pools and installation services.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Storefront
• Display pools
• Accessories
• Pool chemicals
• Staff
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Above ground pools offer a less expensive alternative to in-ground pools.
• It’s rewarding to give a customer just what they’re looking for.
• You can hire a staff to do most of the work for you.
• You can start out small and build your business as demand increases.

The Bad:

• The start-up costs are high.
• It can take some time to turn a profit.

Resources:

• Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
• Independent Pool and Spa Service Association
• Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association
• Wikipedia on Swimming Pools

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Business Overview:

Open a pool maintenance business and use your knowledge and experience to help pool and spa owners keep their investments clean and refreshing. Pools and spas take a lot of attention to keep them in pristine condition. And it takes an expert with plenty of experience to guide pool owners in their quest for a blue and sparkling pool. If you have worked in a pool store or as a cleaning technician for a pool company, owning your own pool maintenance business is the next logical step. You will need to have expertise with both above-ground pools and in-ground pools. Particularly in the summer months, offering pool consulting services is one of the best business ideas you can find. There are so many different types of pool chemicals available and the layperson simply doesn’t have the expertise to know how much of what to put in the pool. There are home testing kits and charts and a pool owner can make an educated guess as to what chemicals to add and when, but having a go-to person who they trust causes many pool owners to gladly pay for this service. You won’t need a storefront for your maintenance business since you—or your staff—will be traveling to your clients’ pools to do chemical correction, cleaning and other pool maintenance. Put large advertisements on your truck or van and let them do the marketing for you as you drive around town. Find out which pool stores in town do not offer water testing and contract your services with them so that their clients are referred to you for chemical services and cleaning. If you choose to buy chemicals in bulk, you will need a storage facility that is separate from your house (garage, off-site storage locker, etc.) in case of a spill. You could also choose to buy chemicals as you need them from a pool store. Depending on the climate you live in, the pool business could be seasonal. In the warmest climates, pools are open and in need of regular maintenance all winter but in cooler climates, pool owners close their pools during the winter. Consider adding pool closing and pool opening to your list of services so you can earn extra profits during the cooler months.

A Day in the Life of a Pool Store Business Owner:

You will spend your day during the busy time of year traveling to your clients’ homes to check chemicals and clean pools—unless you’ve hired staff to do this work for you. You will also spend some time marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be pool and spa owners in need of expert pool care and chemical consultations.

What You Need to Start:

• Experience with pool chemicals (or a trained staff)
• Truck or van
• Water testing equipment
• Chemicals
• Storage facility for chemicals (or you could just buy them as you need them)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Pool maintenance services are essential for pool owners.
• Pool owners will gladly pay for experienced professionals to care for their pools.
• The start-up costs are relatively low.
• Your customers will likely hire your business to perform regular maintenance/cleaning which means a steady income.
• You can boost your profits by offering additional services like pool closing and opening.

The Bad:

• It can take some time to build your client base.
• This business can be seasonal depending on your area’s climate.

Resources:

• Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
• Independent Pool and Spa Service Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Maintenance and Repair Workers
• Wikipedia on Swimming Pools

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Business Overview:

Swimming pools are big business and if you have experience in sales or pool service, it would be a wise business decision to open a pool store. You don’t even need to live in a warm climate to operate a successful pool business. Heated pools and spas are popular in cooler climates and there’s always the option of indoor pools to keep swimmers out of the elements. Since a pool store is a large investment, it’s a good idea to draft a solid business plan to keep you on track. Determine what type of pool store you will operate, what other items you will stock and what services you will offer. The largest part of your business will be pool sales and installations so it’s important that you have a working knowledge of in-ground pools and what is needed to install them. You can contract the actual installation with a third party construction company but your business will need to consult with the customer about what type of pool they want, how much land is needed, what type of filtration equipment they will need, etc. Other than pools, you can also sell spas and even display a few in your store if you have space. Outdoor furniture is also a nice addition to your inventory and it gives customers the option of buying everything they need for their outdoor entertaining area at your store. Your pool store should also stock maintenance items like skimming nets, skimmer baskets, vacuums and poles and you need to have a relationship with the major pool parts distributors so you can order larger items like sand filters and vinyl liners. A third area of your business will be pool chemicals. Pool owners will come to your store for water analysis and to purchase chlorine and various other corrective chemicals. In cooler climates, pool owners tend to close their outdoor pools for the winter so your business should also offer pool closing and opening services if your customers need it. In warmer climates pools stay open year-round which means a steady stream of customers even in the winter months. Homeowners are not your only target market; you will also sell to apartment managers, athletic facilities, parks and schools. Anyone who wants to install a pool or needs chemicals and supplies for their pool will need to come to your store. Particularly if you live in a warm climate, a pool store is one of the best business ideas you can start since pool owners simply cannot go it alone.

A Day in the Life of a Pool Store Business Owner:

Your day will begin by opening up your store. You will spend the day helping customers find what they need in the way of supplies, accessories and chemicals. You will consult with potential customers interested in buying a spa or installing a pool and you will check in on any pool installations that are ongoing. You will order parts from your distributors and check to see if any new items have become available.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be pool owners and those looking to install a pool or purchase a spa.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Storefront
• Pool installation services (can contract with third party)
• Maintenance items (vacuums, replacement parts, skimmer baskets, etc.)
• Accessories (floats, thermometers, toys, etc.)
• Chemicals
• Water testing equipment/personnel
• Staff
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• The pool business is casual, fun and exciting.
• It’s rewarding to help people get the sparkling pools they desire.
• In warmer climates, pool services are necessary year-round.
• You can sell items like spas and pool furniture to boost profits.
• Selling pool installations is big business and can earn your company big profits.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• It could take some time to turn a profit.

Resources:

• Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
• Independent Pool and Spa Service Association
• Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association (UK)
• Wikipedia on Swimming Pools

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Business Overview:

If you enjoy collecting dolls and are good with your hands, you should consider learning how to run a doll repair business. As collectibles age, they can increase in value but a doll that needs repair loses value. A decades-old Barbie in mint condition can be worth as much as $500 so it’s understandable why collectors would pay for quality repair workmanship. Before you start your business, however, you need to make sure you are well prepared. Become familiar with all the different types of materials used to make dolls like china, wax and plastic. You will need to buy specific tools for these repairs and dedicate an area of your home in which to work. Purchase as many dolls as you can get your hands on so you can use them for their parts. Go to garage sales, craft fairs and thrift stores to assemble your parts collection. Some of the work will be dealing with paint if it has chipped off or worn away. If you have any experience with art restoration, repairing dolls will be a smooth transition for you. You can add to your business model by buying dolls, repairing them and selling them yourself. Since a storefront isn’t needed for the repair aspect of this business idea, you should set up a website on which you can market your services as well as display and sell your repaired dolls. Advertise your business at local hobby shops, collectible stores and toy stores. Network with others in the collectibles industry to get your name out there. Be sure to include before and after photos on your website so potential customers can see exactly what services you offer. If your skills are topnotch and you offer excellent customer service, in no time you will need to consider transitioning this part-time business to a full-time venture.

A Day in the Life of a Doll Repair Business Owner:

Your day will begin by checking your email and voicemail for any new prospective customers. You will discuss their needs and determine if your services are right for them. After that, you will get to work on any ongoing repairs you may have. Although you can work as much or as little as you like, you will need to dedicate enough hours to work to get your repairs made in a timely manner. When you are not working on repairs, you will market your business around town and update your website.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be doll owners and collectible shop owners looking for quality repair services. If you choose to also repair and sell dolls, your customers will be individuals looking to add to their collections or buy a doll as a gift.

What You Need to Start:

• Doll repair skills
• Tools and supplies
• Website (optional)
• Marketing materials
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Doll repair services are always in demand in the collectible community.
• Start-up costs are low.
• You can charge top dollar for excellent repair work.
• You can easily run this business part-time and from home.
• You can scale up this business by repairing and selling dolls.

The Bad:

• It can take some time to build up your client base.
• This is a very specialized business and it could be difficult to find your exact target market.

Resources:

• Doll Doctors’ Association
• National Antique Doll Dealers Association
• North American Collectibles Association
• Wikipedia on Dolls

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Business Overview:

If you’re looking for a way to turn your horoscope hobby into a lucrative business, success could be in your future if you start an astrological charts business. Astrological charts, also known as horoscopes, are interpretations made by astrologers based on the positions of various cosmic bodies at the time of someone’s birth. Although there is no scientific evidence supporting the validity of these charts and their predictions, many people cannot leave the house without a quick peek at their horoscope for that day. If you are an astrology buff, this could be the perfect business idea for you especially since you can operate it part-time and from your own home. All you need is a website advertising your services, pricing and contact information. You can then arrange to take phone appointments or even offer emailed astrological charts. Pricing would vary depending on the level of service the customer wants and how personalized they want their chart to be. It would be great to offer your services in any nearby new age stores, and building a relationship with the owners of such shops will increase your business. Whether you decide to offer your services located or operate your business online (or both), you must be skilled at reading charts and interpreting the position of the sun, moon and planets. Customers will take your advice very seriously so if you’re not qualified to offer “expert” interpretations, you should hire experienced astrologists to work for you. If your business is online, your staff can work and take calls from their homes. This option requires very little start-up capital which makes it one of the smartest online business ideas out there if you’re looking to get into the world of astrology.

A Day in the Life of an Astrological Charts Business Owner:

If you operate your business from a storefront and you are doing the readings, you will need to check your calendar to be sure you’re at the right store at the right time. You may also offer set walk-in hours at local shops. You will gather the customer’s information and interpret their astrological chart. If you operate your business online, your schedule will be much more flexible. You can set your appointments at any time of day (or night) and work as much or as little as you like. When not advising clients over the phone (or email), you will spend time marketing your business online.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals interested in skilled interpretation of their astrological charts.

What You Need to Start:

• Astrology experience or a staff of skilled astrologers
• A website
• Relationships with local new age store owners (optional)
• Astrology themed merchandise (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• You don’t have to have any official training to become an astrologer but you do need to know what you’re talking about to be taken seriously by your clients.
• You can operate this business either from a storefront or from home.
• The start-up investment required for an online business is minimal.
• You can hire skilled astrologers to work for you leaving you free to market your business.

The Bad:

• It will take dedication and perseverance to build relationships with local new age storeowners for them to welcome your services into their stores.
• It can take some time to build up your client base.

Resources:

• American Federation of Astrologers
• Astrological Association of Great Britain
• Wikipedia on Astrology

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Business Overview:

If you love hosting parties, have an eye for perfect party décor and are looking for a great business idea, you should learn how to start a party store. Everyone loves a party and regardless of the state of the economy, people will shell out hefty sums for party supplies to celebrate various occasions. The options are endless when you think about what kind of party store you will open. You can choose to cater to specific types of people and parties or you can choose to offer a little bit of everything. Niche categories could be children’s parties, Halloween costumes, or wedding supplies. You could also offer themed party items including supplies and costumes for luau parties and annual party dates like St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Christmas. You will need a storefront for this type of business so the amount of space you have will determine how much inventory you can carry. Obviously you can keep some inventory in the storeroom when it’s not “in season” and simply rotate your stock depending on the time of year. Once your business is up and running, you may choose to expand your services and offer special orders and rental supplies. While you won’t need to learn how to start a party rental business because rentals will only be a small part of your business, it still can be quite lucrative for you to offer some rentals. Wedding items, especially, can be rented out for top dollar if they are good quality. And the good thing about rental supplies is you will make money again and again on the same items (flatware, dishes, tents, tables, chairs, etc.). But even if you choose not to offer rental items, you will likely get plenty of repeat business if your prices are competitive, your supplies are new and fresh and your customer service is topnotch.

A Day in the Life of a Party Store Business Owner:

Your day will begin with a check of your store to make sure everything is in order and ready for your customers. You will coordinate with your staff so they have their assignments for the day. Throughout the day, you will work with customers to help them find the perfect items for their parties. You will also talk to wholesalers and distributors about upcoming shipments. You will spend some time marketing your business, taking out ads in local magazines and newspapers as well as online. At the end of the day you will record your sales, check in with your staff and make sure the store is clean and ready for business the next day.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals needing high quality, reasonably priced party supplies.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Party supplies (will depend on the type of store you open)
• Staff
• Display cases, clothing racks, etc.
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• You get to work with people in a fun atmosphere.
• It is rewarding to make people happy.
• You can get supplies wholesale and resell with a high profit margin.
• You will likely get repeat business if your services are topnotch.
• Once your store is established, you can turn a sizeable profit.

The Bad:

• The startup capital needed for this venture is high.
• It can take a while to get your first customers and turn a profit.

Resources:

• Party Club of America
• Paper First Affiliates
• American Rental Association

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Business Overview:

If you love bringing smiles to kids’ faces and you’re a child at heart yourself, you should learn how to open a toy store where the grins are guaranteed. As the owner of your very own toy store, you can decide what types of toys to carry. Instead of the mainstream commercial fare, you may decide to stock only specialty or educational toys. You can also decide who your customers will be. Do you want to sell toys only for babies or will you stock educational toys for all ages? As you can see, opening a toy store is a business idea that can go in many different directions. This is why it’s vital to have a solid toy store business plan in place. Your business plan will help you answer these questions and many others so you don’t waste time and resources going in too many different directions. When you research how to start a toy store, you will need to consider how you will market your new store. Taking out ads in local family magazines is a good place to start. You could have a big grand opening sale with fun events and promotions that you advertise with direct mail. Discount coupons and word of mouth will also help get new business in the door. But perhaps the most important thing you can have at your store is great customer service. Shopping for toys at a large chain store can be aggravating and unpleasant. Giving your community an enjoyable alternative can be the key to success in the toy store business.

A Day in the Life of a Toy Store Business Owner:

You will start your day making sure all your displays are in order and your staff is there and ready to open the doors. You will spend the majority of your day talking to customers and helping them find just what they need. You will also talk to your distributors to check on orders and delivery dates. You will meet with your staff at the end of the day to discuss any issues that arose during their shifts and to prepare for the next day. Finally, you will record the day’s earnings and take a look at your bottom line to ensure it is healthy.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be toy lovers, both young and old, looking for the perfect toy for themselves or as a gift for someone else.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Toys
• Display cases and shelves
• Staff
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• If you love toys and being around kids, this business is fun and easy.
• Helping kids find toys they love is very rewarding.
• Happy customers will return time after time to purchase toys from your store.
• If you know where to get toys wholesale, you can make a good profit.
• Once your store is up and running, your staff can handle the day-to-day operations and you can take time away when you need to.

The Bad:

• The investment is steep; you will need to have financing set up and be prepared to wait a while to turn a profit.
• Toy shopping can be seasonal so your profits will be inconsistent depending on the time of year.

Resources:

• American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
• Toy Industry Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Article on Toy Store Jobs
• Wikipedia on Toy Stores

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