How to Start a Blade Sharpening Business

If you're familiar with how to use a blade sharpener, you'll find it easy to start a blade sharpening business. It takes just a small start-up investment and you could be well on your way to making money, being your own boss and setting your own hours.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sharpener
• Marketing materials

1. Decide what blades you will sharpen. The possibilities are huge: restaurant knives, salon shears and all kinds of lawn tools need to be sharpened.
2. Buy a sharpener. There are all shapes and sizes available, so take your time and find a quality sharpener that will last. The kind you select will be based on what types of blades you plan to sharpen in your business.
3. Pick a location. Run your blade sharpening business from your house or take it on the road. If you prefer to travel, get a sharpener that's portable.
4. Set your prices. You'll likely charge a per-blade rate which will depend on the type of blades you're planning to sharpen.
5. Pick a turn around time frame. Decide how quickly you'll work and when you plan to return the blades. Decide if you can you complete the job in an hour or a few days.
6. Find customers. Pass out business cards, start a website and go door to door. If you're looking to sharpen beautician's shears, for example, visit the salons in your area and see if they could use your services.

Tips & Warnings

• How quickly you can complete a job will be determined by the amount of work you have at a given time. Give your customers realistic time frames to keep them happy.